What Are Directional Traffic Advisor Light Bars?

Generally, a standard light bar flash pattern functions in a strobe-like manner, designed to capture the attention of other drivers. However, directional traffic advisor light bars allow you to set a directional flash pattern to direct traffic accordingly. These bars give you more functionality and ability when it comes to using your vehicle warning lights to control the road.

As you browse through the options that are available here on our website, you will see that we offer a variety of directional light bars. You can choose from a variety of traffic advisor LED warning light bars in different sizes and models, all with unique functionalities that best suit your needs.

Traffic Advisor Sizes: 6-, 8-, and 16-Head

On an LED directional light bar, the head count sets both the width and how clearly the directional sweep reads:

• 6-head: The compact interior option, sized for a rear deck or dash on a sedan or SUV. Six modules are enough to run a clear left, right, or split sweep.
• 8-head: The full-width interior bar, with two extra modules so each step of the sweep is more distinct at a distance.
• 16-head (Dart): The exterior arrow stick, mounted on the trunk, roof, or rear of a truck. Sixteen modules give the longest and most legible arrow, making it the usual choice for traffic control lights for trucks and highway closures.

A directional sweep needs enough separate modules for the light pattern to show as movement rather than a flash. That is why the shorter 1, 2, and 4 head bars in the deck and dash range are warning bars (rather than traffic advisors).

Interior vs. Exterior Traffic Advisors

The location where the bar mounts will change both how it performs and what it suits:

• Interior bars: The Striker and Virtue 6- and 8-head bars mount on the rear deck behind the glass. Nothing shows outside the vehicle, which is ideal for unmarked units. Also, this placement keeps the bar out of the weather.
• Exterior arrow stick: The Dart mounts on the trunk lid, roof, or the rear of a truck bed. Since the output is not filtered through glass, the lights have more visibility, farther and wider. Also, the longer 16-head format gives a much clearer arrow.

Interior bars are the practical choice on a car with a usable rear deck, while the shorter dash and deck lights are useful for placements that are too small for a traffic advisor. Exterior sticks make more sense as directional light bars for trucks that don’t have a rear deck. Keep in mind that our tow truck light bars include a built-in arrow stick, so a separate advisor is not always needed on a wrecker. We also offer waterproofing upgrades so interior bars can be mounted on the exterior.

Multiple Features for All the Solutions You Need

The features built into these directional traffic advisor light bars let you program the lights to flash in a specific direction, so you can use different light patterns depending on the situation. You can choose the pattern, speed, flashing frequency, and direction in which the lights will flash.

If you find yourself in a situation where you don't need to direct traffic in a specific direction and prefer the standard warning light modes, then you can simply switch these light bars back to warning mode and use the standard flash patterns accordingly. You can easily control all of this with the optional Direct Control Box to activate and control your LED traffic advisors.

For more information about our emergency vehicle traffic advisor lights, feel free to contact our team at SpeedTech Lights. We will gladly assist with anything that you need!

Directional Flash Patterns Explained

A traffic advisor runs patterns that move rather than flash in place:

• Left and right: Modules light in sequence toward the open lane, telling drivers which way to move around you.
• Split or center-out: Modules run outward from the middle in both directions, used to split traffic around a vehicle blocking the center of the road.
• Warning mode: The same bar can be changed back to standard flash patterns when you are not directing traffic.

Pattern, speed, and frequency are all adjustable, so you can match the sweep to the speed of the road. A slower sweep reads more clearly at low speed, while a faster one holds attention on a highway. Amber is the standard color for traffic direction, and amber warning lights cover the perimeter heads that pair with it.

MultiColor LED Traffic Advisor Light Bars: Dual/Tri/Quad Color Flashing Configurations

Our MultiColor models of the Virtue® series traffic advisor light bars are our newest and most impressive interior warning lights. They offer a variety of flash patterns that feature both MultiColor flash mode and single-color A or B flash mode. The MultiColor functionality of this bar allows both the left and right sides to flash different colors in the same module based on your order. As a result, you have true MultiColor flashing functionality, as well as a variety of flash patterns in single-color mode A or B. You can even switch between each color you need to use at that time, giving you the best of both worlds.

With our multicolor models, amber as your secondary color lets you run warning colors interchangeably as needed. So you can run multicolor flashing or multicolor traffic advising as you desire, or you can even run only the amber warning lights in flash or traffic advisor mode. The possibilities are endless when customizing your MultiColor Traffic Advisor with SpeedTech Lights.

Shop In-Stock Traffic Advisors

Every traffic advisor on this page is stocked in-house in Texas for 1-2 day processing. Every product carries a 5-year warranty, and municipal fleets buying on government purchase orders get agency terms and net billing.

🛒 Shop Traffic Advisor Light Bars at SpeedTech Lights

SpeedTech Lights carries Striker 6- and 8-head TIR traffic advisors, MultiColor Virtue 6- and 8-head Linear traffic advisors, and the Dart 16-head exterior arrow stick, all with Dual Memory and adjustable pattern, speed, and direction. All products are stocked in-house for 1-2 day processing. BBB A+ Rated. Free shipping on orders of $100+. Government purchase orders accepted.

Call (800) 757-2581  |  Mon-Fri, 9:00am-4:00pm CST  |  [email protected]

Frequently Asked Questions About Traffic Advisors

What is a traffic advisor light bar?

A traffic advisor light bar is a directional warning bar that uses light modules in sequence rather than flashing together. This light pattern tell approaching drivers which way to move around your emergency response vehicle. The same bar also runs standard warning patterns, so one unit covers both traffic directing and alerts, which is why it is sometimes called a traffic control light bar.

How many light heads do I need on a traffic advisor?

The head count you need depends on the mounting width and how far the arrow has to read. A 6-head bar fits a rear deck on a sedan or SUV and runs a clear left, right, or split sweep. An 8-head bar makes each step of the sweep more distinct at a distance. The 16-head Dart arrow stick gives the longest and most legible arrow for highway work.

What is the difference between an interior traffic advisor and an arrow stick?

Interior traffic advisors mount on the rear deck behind the glass, so nothing shows outside the vehicle. An arrow stick mounts externally on the trunk, roof, or truck bed, so its output isn’t filtered through glass, allowing more visibility at a distance. Arrow sticks are also longer, making the arrow easier to read at speed.

Can a traffic advisor also work as a warning light?

Yes, every traffic advisor in this range switches between directional mode and standard warning flash patterns. When you are not directing traffic, the bar runs normal warning patterns, so you do not need a separate warning light in the same position.

What color should a traffic advisor be?

Amber is the standard color for traffic direction across the United States and is the most widely permitted for that purpose. MultiColor models let you pair amber with a warning color such as red or blue, so the same bar can run warning patterns in one color and direct traffic in amber.

Do I need a control box for a traffic advisor?

A control box is optional, but it makes the bar easier to operate. The Direct Control Box lets you switch between directional and warning modes and adjust pattern, speed, and direction from one panel, rather than cycling through modes on the unit itself.