NYPD patrol cars now equipped with energy-efficient blue LED lights

"You can see how bright they are, particularly if you stand directly behind it, as an approaching vehicle would do," said Police Commissioner Raymond Kelly at a news conference at One Police Plaza.

Kelly said the bright blue lights can been seen as far away as 200 feet, or 10 to 12 car lengths.

Emergency agencies typically use other colors - red or yellow, for example - to equip their vehicles, but the LED blue makes it pop at any time of the day.

Kelly said the NYPD is the first police department in the country to use blue LED lights - which are energy-efficient - atop vehicles.

"Our tests showed that blue color is more visible in daylight and nighttime," added Kelly, against the backdrop of four show vehicles.

The message bars can flash Amber alerts, traffic notifications and (800) COP-SHOT advisories, among others.