Please give right of way to Ambulances & Emergency Vehicles!

sajo · 3rd June 2016, 11:39

It was heartening to see in my RVM , every single vehicle , including trucks and CVs , give way to an ambulance. Except for a lady driving a beige WagonR. The guy tried to honk at her too, but no luck, he had to swerve and pass her. Wonder why such stubbornness ?

Check after 1:00. Later in the video you can see other vehicles moving to the side to allow this vehicle to pass.

https://youtu.be/Y1mVb-3yEZQ

ontheroad · 3rd June 2016, 12:08

I should say that almost all vehicles give way to an ambulance in Kerala. But some idiotic drivers try to tail gate ambulances so that they can also use the gap provided by other traffic for the ambulances.

centaur · 3rd June 2016, 12:23

Quote:

Originally Posted by ontheroad

I should say that almost all vehicles give way to an ambulance in Kerala. But some idiotic drivers try to tail gate ambulances so that they can also use the gap provided by other traffic for the ambulances.

Sometimes the vehicle just behind the ambulance has the people related to the patient in the ambulance but yes, thats not always

sgiitk · 3rd June 2016, 17:46

I think someone should teach the cops, that the siren is for emergency and not to clear traffic. Ditto for Ambulances. The net result is people tend to ignore the hooters.

itwasntme · 3rd June 2016, 21:48

Personally I think the appropriate authorities should get together and standardize ambulances w.r.t. at least basic aspects like colour of vehicle and type of emergency lights and siren modulation. Also fine them for non functioning or inadequate emergency lights!

So many times in BLR I see an innocuous Omni next to me with malfunctioning lights, insignificant siren and weak horn masquerading as an ambulance!

If you want the general population to react in a standardized manner then standardize the bloody ambulances! More an execution issue than not.

Further give them proper ear shattering sirens like in the UK & US! Trust me, I have been followed by a ICU ambulance for 300 metres in a choked B-road once in Stratford-upon-Avon and I was deaf for an hour afterwards.

blackwasp · 3rd June 2016, 22:10

Quote:

Originally Posted by itwasntme

Further give them proper ear shattering sirens like in the UK & US! Trust me, I have been followed by a ICU ambulance for 300 metres in a choked B-road once in Stratford-upon-Avon and I was deaf for an hour afterwards.

Yes. Please someone equip our ambulances with proper air horns. A car's driver in front of the ambulance should move out of they way or become deaf. People will give way only when threatened with bodily harm. As a kid I used to wonder why ambulances are not equipped with roof mounted machine guns :P . Then realised it'll create only more work for the ambulance.

sansvk · 4th June 2016, 10:06

In Bangalore, I have seen it improve. People do try to give way whenever possible. The only issue is that they themselves are stuck in a jam with no place to go.

ankurchaturvedi · 30th July 2016, 21:04

Had a good experience today. Felt happy that I was able to help someone in need. I was returning from Matunga to Thane via the eastern express highway when I ran smack into a traffic jam at the Mulund toll plaza. For those not from Mumbai this is a very famous traffic spot. An ambulance with sirens blaring came up from the rear. People normally give way but the traffic situation was such that it was simply not possible. People from the ambulance got down and were requesting motorists to budge but it was too jam packed. That's when I asked the driver of the ambulance where did he wish to go. He said he was carrying a cardiac case and wanted to go to Jupiter hospital about 4 kms down the road. Somehow the other between me and two other drivers we managed to create a gap and I decided to pilot the ambulance till the hospital-it lies on my way home. I was driving a bolero and went pedal to the wall. I know that patch of the road very well and I was expecting that further down the road truck drivers will be hogging the fast lanes. Well I was right and these guys just refused to budge. I mean what kind of humans they are? What if it was them in the ambulance? Well we managed to weave through the traffic and reached the hospital in less than 5 minutes. Really felt good that I was in a position to help. Is there any way we can bring these truckers to book? I would love to see them punished for their on road behaviour. Please please give way for an ambulance always!

msprabhakar · 24th June 2017, 17:55

In today's Times of India (Mumbai edition), page 7 (see attached PDF file), an advertorial encourages ordinary motorists to:

"BREAK THE SIGNAL TO LET THE AMBULANCE PASS: Ambulances are licensed to break signals and also allowed to drive through the wrong side. Motorists should be aware of this rule and hence break the signal to allow an ambulance to pass. Not many are aware that it is legal to break signal if there is an emergency vehicle behind, so that it can pass easily."

Is this rule true pan India? If yes, could somebody specify the specific section under which breaking the signal to allow an emergency vehicle to pass is allowed?

According to Motor Vehicles (Amendment) Bill, 2016, Section 194E (see link here), "..Whoever while driving a motor vehicle fails to draw to the side of the road, on the approach of a fire service vehicle or of an ambulance or other emergency vehicle as may be specified by the State Government, shall be punishable with imprisonment for a term which may extend to six months, or with a fine of ten thousand rupees or with both..."

However, nowhere does it mention that it is legal for an ordinary motorist to break the signal to allow an emergency vehicle to pass. I feel that it may be VERY DANGEROUS for an ordinary motorist (not trained in emergency vehicle driving procedures) to break the signal.

avaneesh. · 23rd August 2018, 00:04

We all know how bad are the single laned roads in Kerala. Today I was just passing through overcrowded NH-17(old) from Kasaragod to Mangalore. The road was completely filled with potholes. It's apt to call them ditches than potholes. Vehicles were lined up in a civilised way to pass these ditches. After a few minutes in the line I noticed couple of vehicles driving right through and joining wherever they found sufficient gap to sneak their vehicles in.

Then this happened. An ambulance arrived and it was stuck for seven minutes in the same place.

https://youtu.be/vduQhOB9gvQ

Mustang Sammy · 6th July 2023, 13:39

Posting this to reactivate the thread.

Today while on the service road of the Eastern express highway in Mumbai, 2 ambulances were stuck in traffic at 8:40am.
It was heartwarming to see traffic part for them so they could be on their way. Kudos to Mumbai drivers.

The fly in the ointment was the behavior of some auto rickshaw and 2 wheeler drivers (surprise).
These guys were stuck to the back side of the ambulance and using the path cleared to sneak through traffic themselves, putting the ambulance and themselves at risk.
This kind of short-term focused selfish behavior is exactly why our roads will stay third world like, no matter how much the infrastructure improves.

3rd June 2016, 12:08	#77
ontheroad BHPian Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: KL-01/KL-08 Posts: 326 Thanked: 176 Times	I should say that almost all vehicles give way to an ambulance in Kerala. But some idiotic drivers try to tail gate ambulances so that they can also use the gap provided by other traffic for the ambulances.
	() Thanks

3rd June 2016, 17:46	#79
sgiitk BANNED Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Gurugram Posts: 7,969 Thanked: 4,788 Times	Re: Please give right of way to Ambulances & Emergency Vehicles! I think someone should teach the cops, that the siren is for emergency and not to clear traffic. Ditto for Ambulances. The net result is people tend to ignore the hooters.
	(1) Thanks

3rd June 2016, 21:48	#80
itwasntme Distinguished - BHPian Join Date: May 2007 Location: BANGALORE Posts: 6,983 Thanked: 12,533 Times View My Garage	Re: Please give right of way to Ambulances & Emergency Vehicles! Personally I think the appropriate authorities should get together and standardize ambulances w.r.t. at least basic aspects like colour of vehicle and type of emergency lights and siren modulation. Also fine them for non functioning or inadequate emergency lights! So many times in BLR I see an innocuous Omni next to me with malfunctioning lights, insignificant siren and weak horn masquerading as an ambulance! If you want the general population to react in a standardized manner then standardize the bloody ambulances! More an execution issue than not. Further give them proper ear shattering sirens like in the UK & US! Trust me, I have been followed by a ICU ambulance for 300 metres in a choked B-road once in Stratford-upon-Avon and I was deaf for an hour afterwards. Last edited by itwasntme : 3rd June 2016 at 21:55. Reason: Sirens
	(3) Thanks

4th June 2016, 10:06	#82
sansvk BHPian Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Bangalore Posts: 582 Thanked: 281 Times	In Bangalore, I have seen it improve. People do try to give way whenever possible. The only issue is that they themselves are stuck in a jam with no place to go.
	() Thanks

30th July 2016, 21:04	#83
ankurchaturvedi BHPian Join Date: Nov 2013 Location: Thane Posts: 73 Thanked: 81 Times	Had a good experience today. Felt happy that I was able to help someone in need. I was returning from Matunga to Thane via the eastern express highway when I ran smack into a traffic jam at the Mulund toll plaza. For those not from Mumbai this is a very famous traffic spot. An ambulance with sirens blaring came up from the rear. People normally give way but the traffic situation was such that it was simply not possible. People from the ambulance got down and were requesting motorists to budge but it was too jam packed. That's when I asked the driver of the ambulance where did he wish to go. He said he was carrying a cardiac case and wanted to go to Jupiter hospital about 4 kms down the road. Somehow the other between me and two other drivers we managed to create a gap and I decided to pilot the ambulance till the hospital-it lies on my way home. I was driving a bolero and went pedal to the wall. I know that patch of the road very well and I was expecting that further down the road truck drivers will be hogging the fast lanes. Well I was right and these guys just refused to budge. I mean what kind of humans they are? What if it was them in the ambulance? Well we managed to weave through the traffic and reached the hospital in less than 5 minutes. Really felt good that I was in a position to help. Is there any way we can bring these truckers to book? I would love to see them punished for their on road behaviour. Please please give way for an ambulance always!
	(2) Thanks

6th July 2023, 13:39	#86
Mustang Sammy BHPian Join Date: Oct 2020 Location: Poone, Mumbay Posts: 444 Thanked: 1,648 Times	Re: Please give right of way to Ambulances & Emergency Vehicles! Posting this to reactivate the thread. Today while on the service road of the Eastern express highway in Mumbai, 2 ambulances were stuck in traffic at 8:40am. It was heartwarming to see traffic part for them so they could be on their way. Kudos to Mumbai drivers. The fly in the ointment was the behavior of some auto rickshaw and 2 wheeler drivers (surprise). These guys were stuck to the back side of the ambulance and using the path cleared to sneak through traffic themselves, putting the ambulance and themselves at risk. This kind of short-term focused selfish behavior is exactly why our roads will stay third world like, no matter how much the infrastructure improves. Attached Thumbnails
	(2) Thanks