Seeing yellow: three new HK$1m ambulances hit Hong Kong streets
New rides also come with some interior upgrades as officials hope the new bright colour will alert drivers to clear the way even sooner
Three upgraded yellow ambulances hit the road in Hong Kong on Monday for an eight-month trial to see if the vibrant new colour should become the standard for the city’s more than 380-vehicle fleet.
The director of Fire Services Department, Daryl Li Kin-yat, told the Post last month that the bright colours would provide better visibility compared with the white ones now in use, especially on congested roads, so that drivers could be alerted to give way even sooner.
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The yellow colour corresponds to European standards. The Mercedes Benz vehicles will also bear the logo of the blue Star of Life on four sides and red and blue markings.
“The human eye is more sensitive to yellow and green. But yellow is more eye-catching than green in daily environments,” Cheung Kapo, the fleet’s superintendent, said showing off the vehicles on Monday.
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“The new ambulance bears the logo of the Fire Services Department and also the word ‘ambulance’ on four sides. Coupled with the flashing blue lights and sirens, I believe it would not confuse members of the public.” Her remarks came as critics said the new vehicle resembles a body removal van, which is a similar shade of yellow.