Withdraw bill on sirens and exemption of MPs from speed limits – BPS

The Bureau of Public Safety (BPS) has said it is shocked and disappointed at some amendments made to the Road Regulations Act LI 2180 and, subsequently, laid in Parliament expanding speed limit exemptions and other permissions to include all members of parliament and ministers of state on our roads.

The roads include roads around schools, residential areas, hospital zones, parks, and recreational areas, among others.

The amendment also permits mounting sirens and alarms on their vehicles for official use.

This amendment, according to BPS, poses significant concerns for the safety, equality, and accountability of our roadways and governance.

BPS, in a statement, said this amendment is a threat to public safety, disrupts emergency services, grants undue privileges to ministers of state and members of parliament, fosters a culture of inequality, and is not a best practice in any civilised and advanced jurisdiction.

The BPS has, therefore, called on the Transport Minister to withdraw the bill from Parliament with immediate effect and cause the wide exemptions and permissions to be expunged before relaying it.

Additionally, it is calling on the National Road Safety Authority, the state agency responsible for road safety, to collaborate with law enforcement agencies to curb the increasing use of illegal sirens on motor vehicles in the country.

Furthermore, BPS urged the government to prioritise policies that enhance public safety, maintain equality, and uphold the integrity of our governance.

It added that public officeholders must lead by example, demonstrating a commitment to the rule of law, equality, and the safety of all citizens.