Jakarta. Indonesia’s traffic police chief has announced a temporary suspension on the use of strobe lights and sirens by police escort vehicles, responding to widespread public complaints over the disruptive effects of these devices on daily traffic.

Chief of the Traffic Corps Agus Suryonugroho said Saturday at the National Police headquarters in Jakarta that the move aims to reduce traffic disturbances, particularly in congested areas.

“I have temporarily suspended the use of these sound devices during escorts because they disturb the public, especially when traffic is heavy,” Agus said.

The Traffic Corps plans to evaluate the broader policy governing the use of rotators, strobes, and sirens to determine future regulations. “We are reviewing it carefully, even though there are rules about when sirens should be used,” Agus added.

Public frustration over the indiscriminate use of emergency lights and sirens has been growing on social media, where netizens criticized not only official patrol vehicles but also government and private cars equipped with strobes and sirens. The issue has even trended online in recent months.

Critics argue that vehicles using such devices often drive recklessly, demanding priority on roads even when they are not part of authorized emergency operations.

Agus acknowledged the public feedback, noting that it influenced the decision to freeze the use of sirens and strobe lights. “For now, we are suspending them. Hopefully, there will be no need to use sirens anymore,” he said.

The temporary ban applies to all police escort vehicles, and further guidelines on emergency lighting and siren use are expected after the evaluation concludes.

Add as a preferred source on Google +