Cops warn against flashing lights on campaign trail

The Police High Command has warned the two major political parties that its supporters will be prosecuted for the use of flashing lights on the campaign trail.

According to the police, they have observed that in recent times, campaign vehicles of the two main political parties have been using green and orange flashing lights, similar to the lights used by emergency vehicles.

"It has also been observed that bus and taxi operators and other members of the motoring public have been using lights, which are most often blue, in a manner that would imitate emergency vehicles, especially the police.

"Both instances represent a breach of the Road Traffic Act. The only persons who can lawfully use emergency lights are the police, the Jamaica Fire Brigade, and ambulances. The police use blue lights, while other emergency services use red lights," the High Command said.

The police argued that having other vehicles using flashing lights may cause unwarranted confusion to road users and may allow criminal elements to deceive the public and impersonate the police and other emergency services.

"The police are, therefore, advising campaign managers and anyone associated with the political process to implore their supporters to desist from the unlawful practice, as, going forward, anyone found guilty of this will be prosecuted," added the High Command, which has already warned that it will prosecute persons for other breaches of the Road Traffic Act on the campaign trail.