Police lament ‘bright lights’ headache for motorists

The Traffic Department of the Royal St Vincent and the Grenadines Police Force (RSVGPF) is working to clamp down on license plates violations by motorists. They are also putting drivers on guard against the use of bright, fluorescent lights which have been reportedly causing undue strain to some drivers.

The Department has been hitting the streets within recent weeks to conduct checks ahead of the April 30, 2025 deadline for all motorists to bring their vehicles in compliance with regulations for licence plates, amplified music, insurance, use of tint, as well as coloured lights.

Speaking on the Cop Chat programme on WEFM , head of Traffic Department, Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP) Parnell Browne described the use of bright lights as a “serious problem” which not only causes other motorists discomfort but also presents challenges to road-safety.

“The clear [white] lights are a serious problem. Some of the vehicles, they come with the regular coloured lights to the rear… and sometimes when people order these vehicles they order the change of lights one time,” ASP Browne said.

“In the heat of the sun when you have a motorist in front of you and they are indicating with the clear lights, it makes it difficult for you to see where they are indicating to go.”

ASP Browne said the Department has recognized that motorists will go to great lengths to deceive inspecting officers.

He noted that when vehicles are taken for inspection they will carry all the required features, however, after the proper paperwork has been approved, motorists will make adjustments to personalize the vehicles.

Highlighting omnibuses, he said some carry two sets of lights on the front bumper.

“Some of them have them pink, green, blue and they keep blinking. That is an offense. The only coloured lights you are supposed to have in your vehicle are the brake lights and the indicator- one is amber, and one is red.”

ASP Browne also spoke on the issue of license plates regulations, noting that local plate manufacturers “ran out of materials” needed to build the number plates and are working to get additional shipments into the State as soon as possible.

He said the issue of correct font and sizing for license plates is one that the RSVGPF takes very seriously considering that identification of plates can assist in investigating crimes and bringing perpetrators to justice.