Security services complying with removal of sirens on vehicles

Traffic Chief Linden Isles has expressed satisfaction over the compliance of security services, which have so far removed their sirens and flashing lights in keeping with the traffic laws of Guyana.

The Guyana Police Force (GPF) had, back in February, come out warning those businesses that they are not permitted to use those types of equipment, as only emergency vehicles such as ambulances, Police vehicles and fire trucks are allowed by law to go through traffic with such aid.
Isles in an invited comment told Guyana Times that the Force has engaged those agencies on the way forward. According to him, those businesses will only be allowed to use such equipment if the Ministry amends the law to cater for them.
In this regard, owners of security services and other persons who are guilty of having such equipment attached to their vehicles could face the consequences of being prosecuted.
“The only way that they could use those things is if they write and approach the Minister so that the law could be amended,” he stated.
The GPF Traffic Department had pointed out that the Road Traffic (Guyana Fire Service) Order made under Section 49 specifically states what emergency vehicles are.
It explained, “Approved Police Vehicle means any vehicle carrying a lamp showing to the front an amber light and sounding continually a bell, gong or siren. Vehicle of the Fire Service means any engine, pump, trailer or other 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”.
On the other hand, when asked about the way in which commuters respond to emergency vehicles, the Traffic Chief pointed out that he has not received any recent reports of flawed drivers in this regard.
Last March, the Chief Fire Officer Marlon Gentle called on road users, especially motorists to yield to sirens. According to Gentle, it is an international rule that a vehicle with sirens sounding is proceeding to or from an emergency.
The failure of road users to yield to the sirens of emergency vehicles is one of the major challenges the Guyana Fire and the Emergency Medical Services face when responding to a call.
Gentle was quoted by the Department of Public Information (DPI) as saying that as responsible road users, “persons ought to give way to the vehicle sounding the siren.”
“There may be someone who is being taken to a hospital who needs immediate medical attention that the EMS cannot provide to them, but if they are able to transport them in a timely manner and without any delay, they can save that person’s life,” the Chief Fire Officer said.