Oh, Michiganders — you actually are a unusual and lovable bunch. You drink pop as a substitute of soda, you invented Superman ice cream, and your state police vehicles have a singular characteristic straight out of the ’50s. We’re after all speaking concerning the “bubble gentle”, additionally typically known as a “gumball gentle.”
As an alternative of the flashing purple and blue gentle bar we dread to see in our rearview in most components of the nation, in case you’re cruising on Michigan’s highways, you would possibly spot one among these throwbacks. However Michigan State Police (MSP) vehicles nonetheless rock old-school lights for a motive, which any Yooper or Troll will gladly clarify to you at size, as a result of of us from the Nice Lakes state love to speak to strangers about their historical past. And in contrast to my snowbird relations, it is secure to say that the bubble lights aren’t leaving Michigan anytime quickly.
The enduring rotating bubble gentle first appeared on the roofs of Michigan patrol vehicles in 1956, and they’re the one division within the nation nonetheless utilizing this design. It isn’t only for present, both. In accordance with a publish on the MSP’s Fb web page, car testing carried out by the division has confirmed that the one gentle improves acceleration and gas effectivity on the car when in comparison with the extra frequent full overhead gentle bar as a result of the rounded form is extra aerodynamic, lowering drag.
Previous-school look, new-school tech
As a lot as Michigan loves its traditions, they’re completely not against innovation. Superior manufacturing strategies helped launch the American auto trade, beginning with the Mannequin T, and within the 2000s, the bubble lights started to obtain some fashionable enhancements. In 2009, they bought their first replace with a lot brighter and extra environment friendly LED bulbs. Seven years later, they obtained one other overhaul — the addition of ultra-modern particular gentle heads that comprise a complete of 108 lights, nonetheless housed throughout the traditional gumball shell of yesteryear.
The entire bundle lastly bought a redesign in 2023. The beacon casing was shortened by 3 inches to permit taller upfitted police autos to enter areas with shorter clearance, and the LED rely shot up by 42%, now boasting a powerful 144 bulbs. Additionally they added synchronized flash patterns, which supply the good thing about rising officer security throughout visitors stops and being much less distracting to passing drivers. The high-tech beacon mixed with the signature blue and gold paint job and their reflective “Cease — State Police” hood placard makes for a particular police automotive bundle you will not discover in some other state within the union.
Historical past is right here to remain
In 2025, a publish with over 38k reactions on the MSP Fb web page introduced that the bubble lights had been lastly being retired, however the panic was short-lived as soon as followers made the connection between the publish and the date — April 1. Many commenters shared the sentiment that they’d desire the sunshine to remain in use indefinitely, and never just for its wealthy historical past. Jokingly, many acknowledged that the bubble’s excessive visibility from a distance provides them ample time to decelerate after they’re dashing.
So for speeders all through the Mitten, there is no such thing as a have to concern simply but. The MSP, often known as the “cherry boys” (little doubt a reference to each the purple bubble gentle and one among Michigan’s most well-known crops), will nonetheless make their presence recognized and apparent all through the state for years to come back. Technological advances in fashionable police autos are all the time on the horizon, however it’s unlikely we’ll be seeing the retirement of the timeless rooftop beacons anytime quickly. It stays a visible warning to lead-footed drivers and a beloved image of regulation and order in one among our nation’s most unusual states.