Green light run clears way for ambulances and fire trucks in Cairns


Every second counts in an emergency and now traffic lights at 72 intersections in Cairns are fitted with the Emergency Vehicle Priority system which gives a green light to ambulances and fire trucks when it matters most.

There are also 39 Queensland Ambulance Service vehicles in Cairns equipped with EVP technology, while the city's fire engines will be fitted out and operational within the coming weeks.

The system gives ambulances and fire trucks priority when responding to emergencies with acting Main Roads and Road Safety Minister Steven Miles saying the system could prove the difference between life and death in an emergency.

“As the population in Queensland grows and demand for emergency responses increase, the development of EVP could not have come at a better time to help us reduce emergency response times into the future," he said.



“My department has been working hard with emergency services to have Cairns up and running with this internationally award-winning technology.

“The time it could save ambulance or firefighting vehicles arriving at the scene of an emergency could be the difference between life and death."

Emergency services played a key role in identifying routes and locations in Cairns where EVP technology would provide the greatest benefit.

State-wide, 1917 intersections, 419 ambulances and 94 fire trucks have been fitted with EVP technology as part of the Queensland Government’s $13.5 million investment in this technology.