Police need to do their jobs & clamp down on illegal sirens – Jagdeo

Vice President Dr Bharrat Jagdeo has again called on the Guyana Police Force (GPF) to clamp down on the illegal use of sirens and emergency lights by privately owned vehicles.

“That’s illegal and the [Guyana] Police Force needs to do their jobs,” he said in response to questions at his weekly press conference on Thursday.

He pointed out that the Opposition is also in support of this call since Member of Parliament Ganesh Mahipaul attempted to table a motion in the National Assembly for a ban on the use of sirens and flashing lights on private vehicles.

However, at the time, Jagdeo argued that the practice is already illegal and must therefore be addressed by the police.

“I criticised Mahipaul here and say why should we go and discuss this motion when it is already illegal and we’ve been in the public domain saying, ‘let the police make the arrests and take these things off of these vehicle’,” he urged.

The abuse of sirens and emergency lights, particularly by private individuals and unauthorised entities, has become a growing concern

The Georgetown Chamber of Commerce and Industry (GCCI) had previously called for a tougher stance against the use of sirens and emergency lights by unauthorised persons.

“Emergency lights and sirens are prescribed for use by the Guyana Fire Service, the Guyana Police Force, and ambulances; however, recently, there has been increase in private vehicles bearing these equipment for the purpose of bypassing areas with congested traffic,” the GCCI had noted in July 2024.

While the police has a role to play, the GCCI had noted that it is crucial that conditionalities be placed on their importation. The GCCI had therefore urged the Customs Authority to place restrictions on the import of lights and sirens, limiting access strictly to the agencies authorised to use them.

Late last year, President Dr Irfaan Ali had announced that the government will be updating its laws to introduce provisions for the imposition of fines and the revocation of drivers’ licences for the illegal use of sirens and emergency lights on vehicles.