In a move to enhance road safety and enforce existing traffic laws, Traffic Chief (ag) Senior Superintendent Mahendra Singh, has initiated a rigorous crackdown on the unauthorised use of sirens and “doom lights” by private vehicle owners.
This new enforcement drive marks a significant step in the ongoing efforts to maintain law and order on the nation’s roads.
In a recent interview with reporters, the traffic chief stated that the Guyana’s law outlines that only fire, police, and ambulance vehicles are authorised to use sirens and flashing lights.
He stated that a worrying trend has emerged, with private citizens installing these devices on their vehicles, mimicking emergency vehicles and potentially causing confusion and danger on the roads.
Superintendent Singh had a firm stance on the severity of this issue.
“We have no authority over anyone to give them approval or permission to use sirens and doom light because the authority to do so is not even invested in anybody else. The law is clear. It’s either fire, the police, or the ambulance,” Singh emphasised.
He explained that each time an unauthorised vehicle is found using these devices, the individuals involved are stripped of the equipment and charged with a breach of prescribed fitness conditions.
In a bid to educate the public, Singh noted that initial efforts involved sensitising individuals who might not have been aware of the legal restrictions.
“We already took away about 15 already, meaning the flashlights and who had on the siren or the things that give the noise or sound like a police vehicle,” he stated. These confiscated items are presented as evidence in court, and the offenders face legal consequences.
Singh also raised concerns about how these devices are entering the country.
“There’s no way those things will come into the country without customs not recognising it or coming into contact with it. It’s impossible,” he asserted, highlighting a potential lapse in import control measures.
The traffic chief made it clear that warnings to errant persons are no longer sufficient and immediate legal action is now the chosen course to deter this dangerous behavior. “It’s the action of the police, court proceedings, nothing else,” he declared. Singh’s decisive actions reflect his commitment to altering public attitudes and behaviors regarding vehicle modifications.
By targeting unauthorised use of sirens and doom lights, the police are not only ensuring compliance with the law but also fostering a safer environment for all road users.
Sometime ago, the Guyana Police Force (GPF) had issued a warning to private security vehicles that have been using sirens.
The Road Traffic (Guyana Fire Service) Order made under Section 49 specifically states: “Approved Police Vehicle means any vehicle carrying a lamp showing to the front an amber light and sounding continually a bell, gong or siren. Vehicles of the Fire Service means any engine, pump, trailer or another vehicle of the Guyana Fire Service, and includes any vehicle carrying a lamp showing an amber light and sounding continually a bell, gong or siren, in which any member of the Guyana Fire Service is being conveyed to any fire or suspected fire”.
citizens have been moving to install sirens and flashing lights on their vehicles to clear the road during traffic congestion on the roadways, particularly during the rush hours. (G2)
