THE red and blue flashing LED, or revolving emergency lights, on the ambulances or government official vehicles have significance. Generally, red colour indicates emergency as it can be seen on the ambulances, while the reason for using blue lights is to show the presence of police.

Sometimes the combination of both lights can be seen on police vehicles. Nowadays, it has been observed that such red-and-blue lights are being used on private vehicles. These lights are being fixed either in front of the radiator grill, somewhere on the bumper, or on the dashboard inside the vehicles.

Being part of the legal profession, I have read almost all the relevant sections of motor vehicle rules, police rules, etc., and I found no such provision allowing this activity on private vehicles either by officials or by common citizens.

It is also pertinent to mention that the emergency lights cannot be used even by government officials on their private vehicles whether they belong to law-enforcement agencies or public administrative offices.

In this respect, I have contacted some police officials who acknowledged that there is no such law which allows using emergency lights on private vehicle. However, they defend themselves by giving the reason that some police stations have shortage of official vehicles, which forces them to use emergency lights on their own private vehicles.

First, it is a well-established principle and also enunciated by the Constitution that no one is above the law. There should be no debate on whether such lights can be used on private vehicles. There is no doubt that this activity is illegal. Second, it is next to impossible for the common person to identify which private vehicle having such flashing emergency lights belongs to some law-enforcement agency and which is being driven by just another individual.

The emergency lights should be used to serve the purpose for which they are meant, but not for pomp, show and fun. I urge the relevant offices of all the provinces and the federal capital territory to take action against those involved in using these emergency lights illegally.

Jawad Ali Satti
Islamabad

Published in Dawn, March 24th, 2021