GEORGETOWN, Guyana, CMC – Minister of Home Affairs Robeson Benn announced Thursday that legislation about the use of sirens and flashing lights would be tweaked to allow senior government officials and members of the diplomatic corps to use them in appropriate circumstances.
The law currently allows only emergency vehicles – police and fire service vehicles and ambulances – to carry sirens and flashing lights. Any other car fitted with such appliances is in breach of the law.
However, due to increased traffic in the city, Minister Benn disclosed that there were instances where diplomats and senior government officials would be allowed similar use.
“All members of the diplomatic corps…are required to have the light, both on the vehicle of the Ambassador or the High Commissioner and perhaps on an escort vehicle… We have to tweak the legislation to take account of the changed situation. We have more traffic on the road, and people can’t get to where they want in time or when there’s a situation, but we have to deal with that issue,” he said in the National Assembly.
At the same time, Benn expressed concern that other Guyanese were purchasing and misusing the lights and sirens.
“It has become unfortunate that through some stores in the city and other places …that police type lights are available for sale and people put them up and misuse them,” he said.
Benn’s comments came on the final day of considering the 2023 Budget Estimates in response to questions raised by an opposition Member of Parliament.
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