Written Reply by Minister for Transport Khaw Boon Wan to Parliamentary Question on Ensuring Lights Used on Emergency Vehicles are Safe for Other Drivers

Ms Joan Pereira asked the Minister for Transport 

a.     whether there are regulations to ensure that the type of lights used on emergency vehicles are safe for other drivers who may be blinded by these lights; and

b.     whether the number and brightness of the lights can be adjusted based on weather conditions and other environmental factors.

Reply by Minister for Transport Khaw Boon Wan:

1.     Under the Road Traffic Act, emergency vehicles such as ambulances, fire-fighting vehicles or police vehicles can only switch on their warning lights during emergencies to warn other vehicles to give way. Like other international jurisdictions, such as Japan, Australia, and the United Kingdom, we do not regulate the number and brightness of the warning lights.