Authorities and experts address regulations on vehicle sirens and beacons

Authorities and road safety experts in different regions are addressing the regulation of sirens and beacon lights used by vehicles.

In Ghana, Deputy Interior Minister Ebenezer Okletey Terlabi has warned motorists against the unauthorized use of sirens. He stated that the government will intensify enforcement, including the future use of a digital traffic enforcement system with cameras to capture offenses. Offenders may face fines, license suspensions, or the removal of devices. Terlabi clarified that sirens are not prohibited but require legitimate authorization through an application process.

In Malaysia, road safety experts are calling for a review of the rules governing sirens and beacon lights for emergency vehicles and VIP escorts. Experts, including Associate Professor Law Teik Hua of Universiti Putra Malaysia, suggest that the primary hazard lies in how priority movements are conducted rather than the sirens themselves. They recommend implementing standard operating procedures to manage speed, lane changes, and intersection crossings to ensure movements are predictable and safe for other road users.