Kerala Man blocks way of ambulance, fined Rs 2.5 lakh fine; watch video here

Thrissur: As per the law, drivers must yield to ambulances transporting patients by pulling over when they hear a siren. However, a man from Thrissur, Kerala, ignored this rule and refused to make way for an ambulance. As a result, he was fined Rs 2.5 lakh, and the Kerala Police revoked his driving license for obstructing the emergency vehicle.

The video of the incident captured by the ambulance dash cam went viral on social media with over 1 million views. The paramedics who shared the video online gained huge public attention and sparked widespread outrage across the internet. 

The viral video shows the driver with a silver Maruti Suzuki Ciaz car deliberately blocking the ambulance for over two minutes on a two-lane road. Even though the ambulance driver honked persistently, the driver recklessly sped ahead, blocking the path of the ambulance. It also showed the attempts of the ambulance to overtake the car ahead but failed as the car was consistently blocking the path and refusing to give way to the ambulance despite hearing the siren blaring. 

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As per an ET news report, the incident took place on November 7 in Chalakudy when the ambulance was rushing with a patient to Thrissur Medical College but witnessed the alleged horrific behaviour of the driver on the way. 

After the video quickly gained enormous public attention, the Kerala police responded to it swiftly by launching an investigation into the matter. Wasting no more time, the police identified the owner using the vehicle’s registration plate and charged him under several sections of the Motor Vehicles Act, including failure to yield to an emergency vehicle, obstructing an authorised authority’s functions, and not carrying a valid Pollution Under Control Certificate (PUCC). On this, the police slapped a fine of Rs 2.5 lakh on him and revoked his license in connection. 

According to Section 194E of the Motor Vehicles Act, refusing to give way to an ambulance can lead to imprisonment of up to six months, a fine of Rs 10,000, or both. Similarly, as per Indian Law, SO439 (E,) dated 12th June 1989- Section 118 of the Motors Vehicles Act, 1988 (59 of 1988), says in point 10 that every driver shall on the approach of a fire service vehicle or of an ambulance allow it free passage by drawing to the side of the road.

Slamming the driver for his thoughtlessness, netizens described his action as "inhumane and selfish" as they claimed that it could potentially have endangered the life of any patient inside an ambulance if not taken immediately to the nearest hospital. Similarly, they also praised the swift response of the Kerala police in taking action against the driver. 

In a post on 'X', a user commented below the viral video saying "Such inhumane and selfish act must be a non-bailable offence. He must rot in jail." Another said "The police’s step to impose a fine and disqualify the driver’s licence against the obstinate car driver for not giving passage to the ambulance carrying a serious patient deserves appreciation. Which of course is part of their duty. India needs to have more active traffic surveillance.". 

"The fine of Rs. 2.5 lakh and cancellation of the license, in this case, can be seen as a strong legal consequence to discourage such behaviour. It sends a clear message that traffic violations, especially those that impede emergency services, are taken very seriously. By imposing such severe penalties, the authorities are reinforcing the idea that public safety and human lives should always come before personal convenience or disregard for the rules." said another user. 

Meanwhile, a user reacted quickly to the video and tagged Minister of Road Transport and Highways, Nitin Gadkari. He asked the minister, “Can you kindly ensure that as part of road safety rules and laws, giving way to ambulances is emphasized, and that those who don’t comply are punishable? Yesterday I witnessed a similar incident where an ambulance driver had to honk the horn to ask for space."

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