Innocent motorists and road users in Gauteng are being terrorised by vehicles fitted with unauthorised emergency lights, leading to fatal accidents as the Gauteng Traffic Police fails to crack down on the problem.
The Democratic Alliance (DA) has received numerous complaints from road users about incidents of harassment or bullying by unauthorised vehicles using blue or red emergency lights on Gauteng roads. These vehicles have been forcing other road users to be involved in accidents, some of which have led to the loss of life.
The illegal use of emergency lights is a clear violation of Regulation 176 and 185 of the National Road Traffic Act, 2000, which is in place to ensure the safety of all road users and prevent confusion or abuse of emergency signals.
The Act explicitly permits vehicles such as ambulances, fire engines, or rescue vehicles to be fitted with red flashing lights when responding to emergencies. In addition, it stipulates that no individual may operate a vehicle equipped with blue lights or capable of emitting blue lights unless they are members of the South African Police Service (SAPS), municipal police, traffic police, or certain members of the South African National Defence Force when performing their official duties. It also specifies that vehicles owned by registered security companies may be fitted with a lens bar containing white lights with the word “security” and the owner’s name displayed in black letters. Crucially, these lights are not allowed to rotate or strobe.
Despite being clear, this regulation has been violated mostly by those working in the security industry. Countless road users have shared alarming accounts of feeling harassed, intimidated, or deceived by unauthorised vehicles flaunting blue or red emergency lights.
The DA strongly condemns this reckless behaviour which not only endangers public safety but also erodes confidence in legitimate emergency services.
The DA has already made calls in the Community Safety Committee for the Gauteng Traffic Police and South African Police Service (SAPS) to clamp down on the unlawful usage and installation of emergency lights on vehicles in our province as a matter of urgency.
The DA will further table questions to the Office of the Premier responsible for the Community Safety Portfolio to determine what actions are being taken to address the illegal use of emergency lights in the province.
A DA government would allocate additional resources to traffic police to help them identify and penalise vehicles with unauthorised emergency lights. The DA would also introduce stricter fines or consequences for individuals and companies that violate Regulation 176 and 185 as a deterrent.
The DA will continue to advocate for the rights and safety of all road users in Gauteng and relentlessly pursue accountability for those involved in disgraceful acts of intimidation and harassment.