Karnataka police chief restricts use of siren by VIP escort vehicles

M.A. Saleem, Director General and Inspector General of Police of Karnataka, has issued a direction to all the unit heads to restrict the VIP escort vehicles from using sirens unnecessarily.

In a reminder issued on July 21, Mr. Saleem said that the decision has been taken considering public safety and noise pollution. The unnecessary use of sirens will also alert unauthorised persons about the VIP movement, and cause panic among other road users, who may be end up driving haphazardly, he said.

Suggesting an alternative, Mr. Saleem said that the escort vehicles can communicate through the wireless option to the officials concerned, which is safe and effective. Sirens, according to him, should be used only by emergency vehicles, such as ambulances, fire tenders and police vehicles.

The directions should be strictly followed by all the unit heads, and conveyed to their staff for strict implementation, he added.

The escort vehicles buzz the sirens to alert police personnel at traffic signals to allow VIP vehicles to pass through. This would often lead to traffic problems, especially in city limits.

In 2023, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah refused to take zero traffic protocol soon after taking the oath of office. He said that the decision had been taken keeping in mind the trouble faced by other road users on the stretch where the traffic movement is restricted due to VIP movement. However, police department cited security as the reason for the zero traffic protocol.