VIP escorts and emergency drivers: Sirens on, rules off?
ALMOST every motorist in Malaysia would have encountered VIP escorts pulling alongside vehicles at breakneck speed, screaming “ tepi, tepi ” and furiously waving motorists to move aside.
Malaysia's VIP chauffeurs and emergency drivers often disregard traffic rules, disregarding road safety. In a recent incident, a woman was forced by a VIP escort to change lanes in dangerous conditions. This sentiment echoed among many road users, leading to widespread condemnation. The Malaysia Herald reported a tragic accident where three family members died after an Immigration Department vehicle, with its sirens and lights on, ran a red light.
The department has emphasized that emergency vehicles must not endanger others while performing their duties. Criminologist Datuk P. Sundramoorthy called for clearer guidelines for using emergency vehicles' sirens and lights, urging them to be used strictly for necessity, urgency, and public interest.
Written by urgent.news from New Straits Times's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
