A fire safety officer has warned a new craze to paint car headlights a different colour could cost vital seconds in an emergency.

Some drivers are choosing to give their headlights a 'trendy' blue tint - which can be confusing for other road-users who catch a glimpse in their mirrors.

And Bradford fire safety officer Councillor Jack Womersley fears the craze could hamper emergency service vehicles in the future.

Coun Womersley (Lab, Queensbury) said: "When most drivers see a blue light in their mirror they automatically pull over, thinking it is one of the emergency services.

"It's annoying when it turns out to be a normal car with its headlights painted blue. It could get to the point where people stop pulling over until they are absolutely sure and that could cost vital seconds."

He has already raised the matter with the city's magistrates and West Yorkshire Chief Constable Graham Moore has agreed to investigate the extent of the problem in Bradford.

Coun Womersley said: "These drivers need to be stopped and prosecuted before it gets out of hand. There might not be a real problem now but it will catch on if people are allowed to get away with it."

Although it is not an endorseable offence, anyone caught driving a vehicle with anything other than white or yellow headlights faces a possible court appearance and maximum fine of up to £1,000.

Denise Raven, of the AA Roadwatch in Leeds, said: "Drivers may be painting their headlights green or blue to 'soup up' their cars. What they don't realise is that it can be confusing for other road-users.

"A similarity with emergency vehicles is exactly one of the reasons why the use of blue headlights on ordinary vehicles is illegal. Apart from possible court action these drivers should also be aware that their vehicles will not be covered by insurance in the event of an accident."

A West Yorkshire Police spokesman said there were an increasing number of people in the Bradford district illegally swapping their bulbs for different coloured lights and painting over the glass.

He said: "This is a worrying trend. People are using a variety of colours including red, green and blue, which are not as effective as standard headlights.''

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