Road flares have been used in several emergency and safety situations for decades, but with growing technology, more efficient ways of road safety are being developed – such as the sequential LED road flare.

Police chiefs, fire departments, and utility workers often need to alert drivers of hazardous and dangerous road conditions. Both flame and LED flares are used for road hazards; however, there are key tradeoffs to consider.

In this blog post, we’ll explore these key tradeoffs so you can make an informed decision about which product is best suited for your needs and your roadside flare kit.

How Long Do Traditional Flares Burn?

Traditional fusee flares can last anywhere from 30 seconds to 30 minutes, depending on the type of flare. On average, you can expect these highway flares to last about 20 minutes.

A pyrotechnic flare burns with a bright red light and are typically visible up to a mile away however these handheld flares do have some safety concerns. Flame flares contain harsh chemicals and pollutants that often runoff into local {something}. They can start brush fires if they are not properly and carefully deployed and tended to.

The shelf life of these pyrotechnic devices ranges between 36 and 42 months. Make sure you properly dispose of any expired flares via your local fire department and that you store flares in a cool, dry place.

How Much Do Traditional Flares Cost Per Scene?

They typically cost around $2 per traditional flare. However, due to their short lifespan, your department may need multiple flares for one scene, so the cost can add up over time.

How Long Do LED Road Flares Last?

LED road flares provide a longer lifespan in comparison to traditional flares. Typically, LED road flares last between 12 and 24 hours. LED flares last significantly longer than traditional flares, so there is less need to replace them as often. This means that over time, using LED flares can save money.

The bright LED lights have multiple settings and are available in various colors for more visibility. They do not contain the same hazardous chemicals as traditional flares, making them safer for road crews and communities alike.

How Much Do LED Flares Cost Per Scene?

pi-lit Technologies offers a much more cost-effective option, with our sequential LED flares costing just $0.90 per deployment. Additionally, these safety flares do not expire, nor do they have any health risks like traditional roadside flares do.

Use Case: A Canadian Department Makes the Switch

When working with a department in Canada, we evaluated the costs of their old flares compared to our sequential LED flares.

After the one-time cost for the LED flares, the Canadian department saw a return on investment within 6 to 10 deployments. With pi-lit’s LEDs, this department:

• Was able to use the flares during roadside emergencies, including hazardous material spills
• Saw a reduction in vehicle speed and earlier lane merge compliance
• Saw a reduction in inventory procurement or maintenance
• Had no wastage associated with incidents less than 20-minutes
• Reduced their need for bunker storage

When using fusee flares, they found that for a department of 100 vehicles, they would have spent $374,400 CAD/fleet for the year. However, with a pi-lit Rechargeable 6 Set of sequential flares, they spent $59,000 CAD/fleet for the year, with subsequent years costing $0.

Save Money With pi-lit Technologies

Sequential LED flares are a safer alternative to pyrotechnic flares when alerting drivers of a disabled vehicle or other roadside emergencies. Additionally, they provide a unique ROI opportunity for your department to save money on emergency flares in the long run.

Please contact us if you have any questions or want to learn more about our products. We would be happy to discuss how we can help your department save money and lives.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a road flare?

A road flare is a device used to alert oncoming drivers of roadside hazards. Traditional highway flares emit bright light and smoke when lit, while LED flares indicate hazards with flashing lights of various colors.

Do LED sequential flares need to be retrieved?

While LED sequential flares need to be retrieved, most flares should be properly discarded after use. When left on the roadside, old fusee flares can pose fire risks after being ignited, and the chemicals inside can leak into local water supplies or harm the community and large.

All flares should be retrieved, but with LEDs, you only need to retrieve them once rather than potentially deploying multiple times and grabbing extra flares.

Resources for Safety Professionals