Are security companies allowed to use emergency lights?
RANDBURG – Find out if security companies can pass through traffic like emergency vehicles.
It could be argued that security companies are a ‘monopoly’ in South Africa and they respond to urgent scenarios but, are they allowed to act like emergency vehicles?
According to the National Traffic Act, an emergency refers to, “an unexpected and dangerous situation that must be dealt with immediately (Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English,1995:449).”
In terms of section 58 of the National Road Traffic Act 93 of 1996, the following vehicles are identified and permitted to use a blue emergency light:
- South African Police Service (SAPS)
- Traffic officers
- The South African National Defence Force (SANDF)
Other vehicles that are classified as emergency vehicles, in addition, Regulation 176(3) of the National Road Traffic Act 93 of 1996;
* Ambulance
* Firefighter or fire brigade
However, in essence, there are other vehicles that use emergency lights but they are not specified – either in the Act or in the Regulation(s).
This would refer to vehicles such as road-side assistance or security companies.
In the case of security vehicles they may only have white lights and no sirens.
In terms of navigating traffic there are three main criteria with sub-verses that must be maintained, these are:
- Element 1: The ability to assess the need for an emergency response.
- Element 2: The ability to drive the vehicle safely to emergencies.
- Element 3: Ability to demonstrate the correct attitude when responding to emergencies.
General manager of Londoloza Allan Baubry comments in regards to security company vehicles, ”No vehicle is exempt from the rules of the road as long as they drive safely, and ensure the safety of the vehicles and people around them. Often these vehicles are responding to serious emergencies and, very often, they are the first level of response that residents choose. They want to get to an urgent call in the quickest amount of time and will safely navigate through traffic to do so.”
Trojan Security’s general manager Heyns van der Merwe said, “Often, because we are area specific, we seldom sit in traffic or have to use our emergency light. In many cases we get calls from the respondents saying they are stuck in traffic. Ideally, it would be nice for the public to move out the way when an emergency vehicle is responding to an armed robbery in progress.”
Details: National Road Traffic Act, 1996 (Act No. 93 of 1996); Londoloza, www.protectiongroup.co.za or 011 795 0800; Trojan Security, www.trojansecurity.co.za or 011 792 0738.
