Bill 684.

Summary.

The bill prohibits the use, installation, sale, carrying, and activation of emergency or special lights and special audible signals on private or unauthorized vehicles throughout the country. It defines lights as devices that emit steady or flashing light to convey information, warn of risks, guide evacuations, or regulate traffic. It defines audible signals as sound waves that convey information, warnings, or instructions.

For lights, it reserves red for vehicles serving the Presidency of the Republic (Presidencia de la República), the National Police (Policía Nacional), the National Red Cross (Cruz Roja Nacional), and ambulances. It assigns blue to vehicles used by the National Civil Protection System (Sistema Nacional de Protección Civil) and the Meritorious Fire Department of the Republic of Panama (Benemérito Cuerpo de Bomberos de la República de Panamá); and red and blue to those of the National Police and the Land Transit and Transportation Authority (Autoridad del Tránsito y Transporte Terrestre). It allows green on rescue vehicles operated by nongovernmental associations registered with the Public Registry (Registro Público) and previously authorized by the Land Transit and Transportation Authority. It assigns yellow to vehicles of irregular dimensions, heavy equipment, and tow trucks. The use of sirens and other special audible signals is reserved for vehicles serving the Presidency of the Republic and those belonging to the National Police, the Land Transit and Transportation Authority, the National Civil Protection System, the National Red Cross, and the Fire Department of the Republic of Panama, as well as ambulances.

When another state entity needs to transport a public servant urgently on public roads, it must request a motorcycle escort from the National Police Traffic Operations Directorate (Dirección de Operaciones de Tránsito de la Policía Nacional) or the Traffic Directorate of the Land Transit and Transportation Authority (Dirección de Tránsito de la Autoridad de Tránsito y Transporte Terrestre). Both offices must provide that assistance. The sale of these signals between private parties is prohibited and is limited to public institutions and owners of the specified vehicles. Driving without a visible license plate, as required by traffic regulations, is also prohibited.

A violation would result in a fine of 500 balboas (B/. 500.00) and immediate confiscation of the signals. If the unauthorized use is intended to facilitate a crime or obtain an advantage, gain, or benefit, the fine would be 1,000 balboas (B/. 1,000.00), also with confiscation. A repeat violation would result in a one-year license suspension; vehicles without plates would be towed, in addition to any applicable fines. Members of the National Police and inspectors of the Land Transit and Transportation Authority could require documentation authorizing the signals and impound vehicles without plates. The Land Transit and Transportation Authority would enforce the rules and penalties. The authorizations mentioned in Article 11 would be nontransferable, issued by administrative resolution, and entered in its Motor Vehicle Registry (Registro de Vehículos Motorizados). The Executive Branch (Órgano Ejecutivo) would issue implementing regulations within 6 months of promulgation, and the law would take effect the following day.

The bill concerns the public transit, security, emergency, and rescue entities mentioned, as well as public institutions that require escorts. It may be of interest to private drivers, ambulance owners, rescue associations, tow truck and heavy equipment operators, and sellers of vehicle signals.