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Old 16th November 2007, 15:18   #106
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Originally Posted by samirsarkar View Post
Another thought that comes to my mind on the subject is that we ought to always give way to ambulances and police vehicles if they have their hooters on......it could save someone's life !!

I have seen most drivers hogging the road merrily without a care in this world when an ambulance was blowing its hooter continuously behind him. Anybody hearing the noise of such hooters should actually check in the rear view mirror and if the vehicle is coming behind him, turn on the left blinkers, slow down or stop and give way.
While I always give way to ambulances and firetrucks sometimes they use their advantage unfairly. On more than one occassion I have noticed that the ambulance is actually vacant and going without the siren blaring. Suddenly it approaches a traffic light and starts the siren. The smile on the drivers face betrays any need of emergency on his part.
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Old 16th November 2007, 16:48   #107
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While I always give way to ambulances and firetrucks sometimes they use their advantage unfairly. On more than one occassion I have noticed that the ambulance is actually vacant and going without the siren blaring. Suddenly it approaches a traffic light and starts the siren. The smile on the drivers face betrays any need of emergency on his part.
To be honest, you are right. However, if it is a firetruck, they are least likely to do this. I do agree that ambulance drivers tend to use the privilege unfairly but that is because most of these drivers are ill-trained or devoid of any training at all. On many occasions, I have seen that they do not even know how to drive the ambulances properly.

I think it is only best to use your fair judgement in such cases. For eg. sometimes you can know by the way the ambulance is being driven or if the hooter has been blowing continuously. However, since it is not always possible to judge such cases, I guess the best way is to give them way.....after all, giving way to one vehicle is not more important than one's life and will certainly not make us miss an appointment.
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Old 16th November 2007, 17:03   #108
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Ambulance and Fire Trucks with the light/siren should ALWAYS be given right of way, even if you KNOW they are misusing it. How many would you see in a day?

I have a peeve with the red flashing lamp of other officials. It should be only for emergencies, so only officials responsible for emergency duty should have it.

I could understand the case of ministers. They have a lot of travel etc to do. Why should a burocrat who works at the same office every day needs a flashy lamp?
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Old 16th November 2007, 19:48   #109
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Ambulances could be on their way to pick up the patients.
Irrespective of whether the driver is taking undue advantage or not, i always make it a point to give way to them. Its the 'lal batti's' that p*** me off.
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Old 16th November 2007, 20:09   #110
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I could understand the case of ministers. They have a lot of travel etc to do.
What the heck? They always get an elite treatment, never see the hardship an average Indian face, just stop the entire traffic to give them way... and put the average road user to trouble.

They are the responsible ones for what we crib today for - traffic congesition, bad roads, unplanned roads, what not?
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Old 17th November 2007, 12:45   #111
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I was referring to the "flashing lamps" alone. Yesterday I saw a few minister motorcades going for the SmartCity kick-off. One Gypsy pilot in front and one escort car behind and the state car in the middle. I saw no fuss. At the intersection, there were a few cops. I passed it less than a minute before I passed the first of the motorcades, and cross traffic was being allowed at the intersection. So, even the intersection was not blocked till the motorcade is very close. I am sure the cops would have blocked the cross traffic and allowed the motorcade to pass.

That is OK if you ask me.
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Old 17th November 2007, 15:47   #112
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What the heck? They always get an elite treatment, never see the hardship an average Indian face, just stop the entire traffic to give them way... and put the average road user to trouble.

They are the responsible ones for what we crib today for - traffic congesition, bad roads, unplanned roads, what not?
Amen to that. Are these people our servants or masters? (As in "public servants"?)
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Old 17th November 2007, 17:28   #113
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Originally Posted by AirWind View Post
What the heck? They always get an elite treatment, never see the hardship an average Indian face, just stop the entire traffic to give them way... and put the average road user to trouble.

They are the responsible ones for what we crib today for - traffic congesition, bad roads, unplanned roads, what not?
im with ya there mate.in the UK its only heads of state or emergancy vehicles who get preferential treatment .The rest have to abide the rules.
Saw a moroway c losed for some trucks transporting some nucleor stuff once though.
Havent read all the thread so sos if this is a repeat.
Unfortunatly after witnessing 50 odd countries drivers, India stiil comes out tops in the crap drivers contest.(i've not been to Africa)
U gfuys may know what youre doing but most indian drivers dont or dont care.mant liscences are bought , so no real test taken.Its might is right on indian roads, whether its size or wealth.The complete opposite of safe aware driving.
BTW Enjoy them new higways b4 the traffic starts to arrive
cheers d
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Old 18th November 2007, 02:00   #114
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Quote:
Originally Posted by DileepKS View Post
Ambulance and Fire Trucks with the light/siren should ALWAYS be given right of way, even if you KNOW they are misusing it. How many would you see in a day?

I have a peeve with the red flashing lamp of other officials. It should be only for emergencies, so only officials responsible for emergency duty should have it.

I could understand the case of ministers. They have a lot of travel etc to do. Why should a burocrat who works at the same office every day needs a flashy lamp?
Dude, i totally agree to what you've stated here, indeed at times even i get frustrated when such kind of misuse of the so called 'Red Flag', apparently!
But what matters is, its our part and we shud be responsible equally as good citizens. So we must do our part honestly ...and i'm sure ... 'Gandhigiri' One day the driver would eventually realise that he was just trying to be what he never was.
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Old 20th November 2007, 11:04   #115
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Hmm Gandhigiri. What else we can do?

At some point of time, things will become so bad and then only something will be done.
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Old 20th November 2007, 11:35   #116
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Originally Posted by DileepKS View Post
Ambulance and Fire Trucks with the light/siren should ALWAYS be given right of way, even if you KNOW they are misusing it. How many would you see in a day?
Fully agreed! And I always do. But it is a major irritant when you they pass the redlight with the broad grin on their faces...

But as someone said it is better to be fooled than stand in their way... it may just be an emergency.

Ministers well... the lesser said the better it is!
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Old 20th November 2007, 15:06   #117
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Turning left towards Chembur stn from Diamond Garden is traffic light controlled. I was pulled over for jumping the traffic light a few years back. A couple of weeks back, I was driving behind a NHC with red light on top. It was some big shot cops car. And it coolly drove through the red traffic light. I followed him. As soon as he turned, there was a traffic cop standing on the opposite side of the road who promptly saluted the car as it drove past. That was the moment I really wanted him to pull me over for jumping the red light. Sadly it didn't happen because the cop was so engrossed in saluting the NHC that he probably didn't notice me.

By the way, I don't understand why they have to salute the car of their senior or of some minister as it drives past. Is it the protocol or these guys just do it because of the chamchagiri attitude in our government departments.
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Old 20th November 2007, 15:39   #118
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Quote:
Originally Posted by thefreak View Post
While I always give way to ambulances and firetrucks sometimes they use their advantage unfairly. On more than one occassion I have noticed that the ambulance is actually vacant and going without the siren blaring. Suddenly it approaches a traffic light and starts the siren. The smile on the drivers face betrays any need of emergency on his part.
It is very very difficult to ascertain whether the ambulance is on an emergency trip or not, in fact it is not an issue at all. If you see an ambulance, you give way, that's the idea. If he is cheating, so be it.

Quote:
Originally Posted by toiingg View Post
Ambulances could be on their way to pick up the patients.
Irrespective of whether the driver is taking undue advantage or not, i always make it a point to give way to them. Its the 'lal batti's' that p*** me off.
you are absolutely right.
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Old 20th November 2007, 18:34   #119
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Quote from a novel: "You shall salute your superior officers, be it while climbing a ladder, be it in hell!"

I don't know if the "traffic cop saluting" is written in the manual, but IMO it is stupid, and stupider is the Aphsar sitting in the car with a grin enjoying it.

The other day I saw a jeep going on the wrong side of the median to beat the jammed traffic. Then I noticed it is a police jeep, and the flashy was not even flashing.

I think not only that police is not given driver education, but also that the guys who join police don't care to obtain licenses. Why should they? Who is going to charge them?

A major part of the education in police academies in USA is driving. There is a saying "driving like a cop" when someone keeps excellent control on the car while doing crazy maneuvers.
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Old 20th November 2007, 23:01   #120
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Originally Posted by DileepKS View Post
I think not only that police is not given driver education, but also that the guys who join police don't care to obtain licenses. Why should they? Who is going to charge them?

A major part of the education in police academies in USA is driving. There is a saying "driving like a cop" when someone keeps excellent control on the car while doing crazy maneuvers.
There are also academies here which actually teach them offensive & defensive driving techniques. I guess the cops just take to the offensive techniques more than the defensive ones.
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