House Leadership Sees This “As A Growing Threat To Public Safety, National Order, And The Rule Of Law”
Photo courtesy: House Press Bureau
By Our Staff Writer
In Liberia’s vehicle and traffic law, five categories of vehicles are allowed to use siren—the President, Vice President, Police, ambulance and Fire Service.
Nowadays, it seems that “every Tom, Dick and Harry” are free to ride around the streets of Monrovia in their expensive vehicle with siren blaring, something that has now sparked concerns within the corridor of the Legislature.
Quite a large number of government officials, who are the category of those entitled to use siren, now have siren mounted in their vehicles as they speed their way through the traffic using the third lane with the siren blaring.
In Liberia’s vehicle and traffic law, five categories of vehicles are allowed to use siren—the President, Vice President, Police, ambulance and Fire Service.
Recently, one experienced retired Liberian police officer remarked: “The wave of wanton use of siren by official was widespread during the last regime, but now it is completely out of control.”
Prompted by a communication that reached the leadership of the House of Representatives from Police Inspector General, Gregory Coleman, the House has spoken of the need to nip this practice in the bud, describing it as a public safety threat.
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H𝗼𝘂𝘀𝗲 𝗟𝗲𝗮𝗱𝗲𝗿𝘀𝗵𝗶𝗽 𝗜𝗻𝘃𝗶𝘁𝗲𝘀 𝗣𝗼𝗹𝗶𝗰𝗲 𝗜𝗻𝘀𝗽𝗲𝗰𝘁𝗼𝗿 𝗚𝗲𝗻𝗲𝗿𝗮𝗹, Following 𝗥𝗲𝗾𝘂𝗲𝘀𝘁 T𝗼 𝗘𝗻𝗳𝗼𝗿𝗰𝗲 𝗩𝗲𝗵𝗶𝗰𝘂𝗹𝗮𝗿 𝗦𝗶𝗿𝗲𝗻 𝗥𝗲𝗴𝘂𝗹𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀
House Press Bureau Release
The Leadership of the House of Representatives has acknowledged receipt of a formal communication from the Inspector General of the Liberia National Police (LNP) Col. Gregory Coleman regarding the urgent need to enforce the regulation of vehicular sirens across the country.
The communication, which was read during the House leadership meeting on Monday, July 28, highlights the unauthorized use of sirens by some senior government officials and other individuals, describing it as a growing threat to public safety, national order, and the rule of law.
Quoting Title 38, Chapter 6, Section 6.21 of the 1972 Vehicle and Traffic Law of Liberia, the Police Inspector General reminded lawmakers that:
“Any authorized Police, Fire, or other Emergency or official vehicle may be equipped with a siren, whistle, or bell of a type approved by the Minister, which device shall be capable of emitting sound audible under normal conditions at a distance of at least 500 feet. Such siren, whistle, or bell shall not be used except when the vehicle is being operated in response to a fire alarm or other emergency call, in the immediate pursuit of a suspected criminal, or on other emergency business.”
The Inspector General emphasized that any use of sirens outside of these legal parameters is a violation and will be met with appropriate enforcement and penalties.
He noted with concern the increasing abuse of sirens in recent years by individuals who use them to circumvent traffic regulations—endangering motorists, disrupting traffic flow, and undermining the integrity of law enforcement.
In his appeal, the Police IG called on the Legislature to lead by example and help champion compliance with these regulations. He urged lawmakers to demonstrate their commitment to accountability, discipline, and respect for the law.
The Liberia National Police has announced that full enforcement of the siren regulations will begin within seven (7) days from the date of the communication.
As part of this process, the Police Inspector General has been invited to appear before the House Leadership next Monday to provide further briefings and respond to concerns from the body’s leadership.
The House of Representatives remains committed to upholding public safety and ensuring that Liberia’s laws are applied fairly and consistently across all sectors of society.
Signed: ______________________
Robert Benjamin Haynes
Director, Press & Public Affairs HOR