What are the country’s laws on sirens and flashing lights? Earlier this year, President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr. issued Administrative Order (AO) No. 18, directing the Department of Transportation (DOTr) to review policies on the use of sirens and “blinkers.”
The AO puts emphasis on the need to update existing guidelines on motor vehicles’ use of sirens, horns, whistles, or other gadgets that emit loud sounds. Likewise, there was also a need to review policies on dome lights, flashing lights, and other similar signaling devices.
Policies on Sirens and Blinkers
In response to the President’s directive, the DOTR issued Administrative Order No. 2024-001 on April 18, 2024. It was titled “Amended Guidelines Governing the Use or Attachment of Sirens, Bells, Horns, Whistles, or Similar Gadgets that Emit Exceptionally Loud or Startling Sounds and Dome Lights and Other Similar Signaling or Flashing Devices on Motor Vehicles.”
Prohibitions
Based on DOTR’s AO No. 2024-001, the following attachments on any motor vehicles are prohibited (with some exemptions, to be discussed later):
- Sirens, horns, bells, whistles, and similar devices that emit startling or exceptionally loud sounds;
- Blinkers and/or flashing lights of any colors installed in the front or rear area of the vehicle; and
- Other similar signaling or flashing gadgets that may impede or confuse traffic, and thus inconsistent with sound traffic discipline and highway control.
Authorized Attachments
On the other hand, the following attachments or devices should be installed in every motor vehicle:
- Ordinary horn to warn pedestrians and other motorists;
- Amber or yellow directional flashers installed in the front and rear areas of motor vehicles;
- Amber or yellow “hazard warning lamp” installed in the front and rear areas of motor vehicles (used to warn pedestrians and other motorists in cases of emergency);
- “Driving Beam” (main beam) should be white or selective-yellow light, whereas lights at the rear of the motor vehicles should be red, yellow, and/or orange;
- All motor vehicles should have tail lights, stop lights, license-plate lights, and parking lights installed;
- Additional lamps and lights may be carried, but these should be LTO-registered, and no red lights should be visible forward or ahead of the motor vehicle; and
- Other devices that may be required by the Land Transportation Office, that is designed for the safety and convenience of motorists and the general public.
NOTE: During nighttime, while the motor vehicle is in use on any public highway — buses, trucks, trailers, and other similar vehicles should carry colored riding lights on each of the four corners, not more than 10 centimeters from the top.
Rule Exemptions
Meanwhile, here is a list of vehicles and agencies that are allowed to have sirens and blinkers attached:
General Authorization
- Law Enforcement Vehicles. These may be equipped with red, white, and blue roof-mounted blinkers and/or sirens.
- Fire Trucks. These may be equipped with red and blue roof-mounted blinkers, sirens, and/or bells.
- Hospital Ambulances. These may be equipped with blue roof-mounted blinkers and sirens.
- Tower Service Cars and Wreckers. These may be equipped with yellow roof-mounted blinkers only.
Government Motor Vehicles
- Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP). Only marked patrol motor vehicles, including motorcycles, may be equipped with sirens and blinkers.
- National Bureau of Investigation (NBI). Only marked patrol motor vehicles, including motorcycles, may have sirens and blinkers attached.
- Philippine National Police (PNP). Only marked patrol motor vehicles, including motorcycles, may be equipped with sirens and blinkers.
- Land Transportation Office (LTO). Only marked patrol motor vehicles, including motorcycles, may have sirens and blinkers attached.
- Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP). Only marked fire trucks may be equipped with dome lights, ordinary sirens, and/or bells.
- Hospitals, Clinics, and Medical Centers. Ambulances with appropriate markings as identified by the Department of Health (DOH) may be equipped with sirens and blinkers. (NOTE: Patient Transport Vehicles should not be labeled as “ambulance,” but as “patient transport vehicle,” and should not be equipped with sirens and blinkers).
- Other Government Motor Vehicles. Before using sirens or blinkers, other government motor vehicles that are not included in the above list should secure a permit from the LTO by submitting these requirements: (a) request duly signed by the head of office/agency; (b) printed colored pictures of the motor vehicle; (c) latest Official Receipt/Certificate of Registration); and (d) other documents that may be requested by the LTO.
Penalties
In accordance with AO No. 2014-001, particularly “motor vehicles operating without or with defective/improper/unauthorized devices [including sirens and blinkers]” are subject to penalties.
Violators must pay a fine of PHP 5,000, and the device or equipment shall be confiscated. In addition, the motor vehicle shall be impounded until the fine is paid and the device or equipment is properly installed (or removed, depending on the case).
Latest Updates
As mentioned earlier, President Marcos issued AO No. 18 last April, prohibiting government officials and personnel from using sirens, blinkers, and other similar gadgets.
“All government officials and personnel are hereby prohibited from utilizing sirens, blinkers and other similar gadgets that produce exceptionally loud or startling sound, including dome lights, blinkers, or other similar signaling or flashing devices,” the President stated in his order, the Philippine News Agency reported.
Exempted from the rule are vehicles of the AFP, NBI, PNP, fire trucks, hospital ambulances, and other emergency vehicles.
“In this light, all government officials and personnel are hereby reminded that use of sirens, dome lights, blinkers and other similar devices shall only be under exigent or emergency circumstances or situations or to ensure the expedient and safe passage of emergency responders,” President Marcos said.
Moreover, the President warned that unauthorized and improper use of sirens and blinkers shall be dealt with, in compliance with existing laws and regulations.
Meanwhile, the LTO has established a hotline for reporting those who violate the “no wang-wang” rule. Based on a report by the Philippine News Agency, LTO Chief, Assistant Secretary Atty. Vigor Mendoza II stated that sirens and blinkers in motor vehicles of government officials as well as private individuals are illegal.
Only emergency vehicles of law enforcement and emergency response agencies may use them, the LTO Chief said. He urges the public to report violations by sending a text message to the agency’s “AksyON THE SPOT” hotline, 0929-292-0865. The hotline may also be used to report scammers who are impersonating the LTO and other government agencies.
Infographic: Emergency Vehicles
Only ambulances, fire trucks, and law enforcement vehicles may use sirens and blinkers in cases of emergencies. Below is an LTO infographic that provides instructions for motorists when they encounter emergency vehicles on the road.
In such cases, motorists are advised to slow down and give way to the emergency vehicle. They should not obstruct its path, nor should they follow the emergency vehicle closely.
Final Thoughts
Once again, let us keep in mind that sirens, bells, and other gadgets that emit startling sounds and flashing lights may be used by emergency vehicles, and only during cases of emergencies. All motorists should follow theses rules, for the purpose of ensuring safety and on Philippine roads and highways.
In addition, everyone, including commuters and pedestrians, should know and follow the country’s traffic rules and regulations at all times.