Richland County Deputies to Drive with Blue Lights Always On

Richland County deputies will drive with their blue lights on at all times starting Friday evening, Sheriff Leon Lott announced Thursday.

The new policy is an effort to increase deputies' visibility and make communties safer, Lott said. It goes into effect at 7 p.m. Friday.

Deputies in marked patrol cars will drive with their staionary blue lights on at all times, Lott said. Flashing blue lights will still be used for traffic stops and when deputies are on the way to high-priority calls.

Deputies are already required to drive with their headlights on at all times for visibility reasons, Lott said. Adding stationary blue lights just adds to their visibility.

Lott said the Richland County Sheriff's Department is the first law enforcement agency in the state to enforce this policy.