‘The law is very clear’- Traffic Chief reiterates no private vehicles should be outfitted with sirens, flashing lights

Traffic congestion on the roadways, particularly during the rush hours, is a daily hassle for many, if not all, so to avoid this, citizens have been moving to install sirens and flashing lights on their vehicles.

But this is illegal and if found utilising same, persons can be charged since permission are not granted for their use.

“We (Guyana Police Force) have no authority over anyone to give them approval or permission to use sirens and flashing lights. The authority to do so is not even invested in anybody else.”

“The law is very clear. It’s either fire, the police or the ambulance,” Traffic Chief (ag) Senior Superintendent Mahendra Singh told the News Room during an interview on Monday.

Guyana’s laws only allow for the Police Force, Fire Service and ambulances to use the sirens and flashing lights.

The blue and red lights and sirens are to be used on Police vehicles and other law enforcement personnel but persons have been buying the equipment and using it to speed through traffic.

Traffic Chief (ag) Senior Superintendent Mahendra Singh

Several sensitisation sessions were held with members of the public in the public. Singh said a number of persons were hauled before the courts and several of the equipment were seized.

“Every time we encounter someone who is in possession of same, we have them strip it, we revoke their fitness for being in breach of conditions and if there is no compliance, the charges go to court.

“The vehicle is not designed to be outfitted with it if it is not an emergency vehicle,” Singh said.

In November 2022, President Dr Irfaan Ali mandated Police Commissioner (ag) Clifton Hicken to enforce a clampdown against the unauthorised use of blue and red lights and sirens.

This instruction extended to government agencies, several public officials and also security companies that have abused the use of the lights and sirens.

While in February last year, Home Affairs Minister, Robeson Benn revealed that the relevant laws will be tweaked to allow for diplomats and senior government functionaries to be exempted from the law preventing the use of flashing lights and sirens.

But despite these efforts, installation of these equipment on private vehicles continues.

So, Singh told News Room that the Guyana Police Force will have to move to collaborate closer with importers of these equipment.

He added that it also raises questions about how the equipment and passing the ports of entry without intervention from the Guyana Revenue Authority and the Guyana Bureau of Standards.

“There is no way those things can come into the country without Customs not recognising it or coming into contact with it. It is impossible,” Singh told the News Room.

Noting that another warning will not be sufficient to address the ongoing issue, Singh said that more action has to be taken by the Police.

“I don’t think a warning anymore is necessary. It is the action of the police to stop, detain and proceed with court proceeding.

“These things has to do with behaviors and attitude of members of the public…Your vehicle is your private vehicle as a citizen of the country. You cannot install the equipment or have it installed when you vehicle is not an emergency vehicle,” Singh said.

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