Blue lights move out the way
RANDBURG - Spokesperson for the Johannesburg Metro Police Department (JMPD), Chief Superintendant Wayne Minnaar tackles the blue lights issue.
Often times motorists on the road come across a speeding car flashing blue lights urging them to move out of the way, but what do the rules of the road say about this issue? We spoke to the spokesperson for the Johannesburg Metro Police Department (JMPD), Chief Superintendent Wayne Minnaar to get some clarity on the matter.
Supt Minnaar confirmed that the vehicles flashing blue lights definitely had right of way at all times and that motorists should move out of the way for them.
“Vehicles that flash their blue lights are driven by an official member of either the police, Johannesburg Metro Police Department (JMPD) or traffic officers and the blue lights are to show that they are responding to an emergency,” Supt Minnaar said. He pointed out that the official car could be marked or unmarked depending on the type of vehicle it is was. He pointed out that in terms of the Traffic Act, motorists were obliged to move out of the way as quickly as they could, to allow the emergency vehicle to gain right of way.
“Emergencies can vary and it would depend on what the officer is responding to that would determine them putting on the blue lights. It would be more dangerous to motorists if they do not move out of the way as these vehicles are moving at a high speed,” he added. Supt Minnaar explained that motorists could be given a fine if they did not concede right of way to the official vehicle behind them.
Spokesperson for the Randburg Police Station Constable Lekgora Bopape pointed out that the law only made provision for official police, traffic officers and the JMPD to have and to use the blue lights. “If anyone is found to be in possession of the blue lights, they will be arrested and charged with impersonating an officer of the law,” he said.
He explained that the ministerial cars were VIP and should be given the right of way when their blue lights were on. He further explained that police officers often switch on their blue lights at night to increase their visibility if there is someone who may need their assistance. “At this time, if the police vehicle is driving slowly there is no need to move out of the way, however, the law is clear that emergency vehicles must be given right of way on the roads,” Const Bopape said.
Details: Randburg Police, 011 449 9000
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