Police warn motorists against following emergency vehicles

– cite rising dangerous road behaviour

The Traffic Department within the Guyana Police Force (GPF) has raised concern over what it describes as a growing and dangerous trend of motorists unlawfully following emergency vehicles during active responses, warning that such conduct obstructs emergency operations and breaches traffic regulations.
The warning was issued during the televised programme Road Safety and You, where Inspector Moolchand Jagunandan, who is stationed at the Regional Division 4B, East Bank Demerara (EBD) and attached to the Traffic Department, and Sergeant Dundas of the Ruimveldt Police Station’s Traffic Department outlined the issue and its implications for road safety. Inspector Jagunandan explained that the behaviour has become increasingly common along major roadways, particularly in congested areas where drivers attempt to use emergency movement as a way of bypassing traffic.

He noted that motorists are often seen trailing ambulances and police vehicles once sirens are activated, sometimes at close range and through multiple intersections. Sergeant Dundas supported the concern, pointing to ongoing challenges along the EBD corridor, where construction and heavy traffic contribute to driver impatience. Inspector Jagunandan said the practice is not only unsafe but also directly interferes with emergency operations.
“As soon as the ambulance passes, if the police are not there, the driver keeps following the ambulance,” he stated, noting that the behaviour creates convoy-like movement that was never intended by law.
He added that some motorists also attempt to disguise their actions by activating hazard lights, which contributes to confusion on the road. “For any additional siren, the person who turns on the hazard light is a part of the convoy or the siren. That is a source of the problem on the East Bank,” he explained.
Sergeant Dundas reinforced that motorists are legally required to give way to emergency vehicles and must not attempt to follow or obstruct them.
“We understand that traffic is heavy, everybody wants to be safe, and everybody wants to live in a timely manner,” he said, before stressing that compliance with the law remains mandatory. He reminded listeners that motorists must immediately clear the way once emergency sirens are heard or seen.
“Even on the East Coast, you find the same thing. Police vehicles are passing, siren blaring, and the vehicles are trying to bandwagon, following them,” he added.
According to him, such actions amount to an offence under traffic regulations, particularly where drivers fail to yield the right of way. “It’s an offence as well, failing to adhere to the siren. Failing to give the right of way as well,” the Sergeant stated. Officials explained that motorists are prohibited from following emergency vehicles within close proximity, including entering areas where emergency units have stopped. They further noted that drivers must not park or assemble within the same block as an active emergency scene, as this can obstruct operational movement. Inspector Jagunandan stressed that the law specifies distance restrictions designed to ensure emergency services can operate without interference. The officers pointed to ongoing enforcement challenges, particularly in high-traffic corridors where driver behaviour is influenced by congestion and delays. They warned that, despite public perception, following emergency vehicles does not provide legal or safe passage through traffic.
Instead, it increases the risk of collisions and obstructs emergency responders who require clear access to incident locations. The GPF said the issue forms part of its broader road safety education campaign, which includes the weekly Road Safety and You programmes.