People apprehensive about getting challaned while giving way to ambulance at red light

Amit Sharma

Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, November 10

When an emergency vehicle, including an ambulance, approaches another vehicle, the driver is supposed to move out of the path as soon as possible. However, if traffic is halted at a traffic junction, are motorists still supposed to cross the zebra crossing or eventually the red light to make way for an approaching ambulance? Lack of clarity on the protocol among people leads to confusion as everyone is apprehensive that crossing or giving way at a red light can get them challaned.

Ambulances from neighbouring states can be seen zipping through city roads towards hospitals, including the PGI and the GMCH, Sector 32 and the GMSH, Sector 16. Many motorists encounter a situation when they are waiting at a light point for the signal to turn green and in the meantime an ambulance approaches from behind.

Vishal, a resident of Sector 38, claims that every time he is in such a situation, he waits for other drivers to react as it is often seen that traffic cops standing ahead of the junction and unaware of the situation stop the vehicle for jumping the red light. “Stopping in the middle of a traffic junction is not appropriate following which one crosses the red light,” he said.

UT SSP (Traffic) Manisha Choudhary said mostly challans for jumping the red light are issued on the basis of violation captured through handheld cameras allotted to the field staff. “However, if there is any such instance of giving way to an ambulance and crossing the zebra or red light while doing so, we take it into consideration,” the SSP said.

Another city resident said with new CCTV cameras installed everywhere, motorists were confused whether moving the vehicle ahead of the zebra crossing and also crossing the red light just to make way for an ambulance could get them challaned. “There is always an apprehension that the violation, irrespective of the reason behind it, will get caught in a CCTV camera leading to a TVIS challan,” the resident added.

The SSP clarified that challans based on CCTV cameras installed under the Smart City project would capture such violations automatically once the project goes live; however, there was a provision for authentication of each and every violation captured. “We will keep it in mind before issuing a challan whether a vehicle has given way to an ambulance or any other emergency vehicle,” she added.

Balbir Jaswal, a resident of Sector 15, said the traffic police should educate people on the protocol and give clear directions to be followed in such a situation.

SSP clears the air

UT SSP (Traffic) Manisha Choudhary said mostly challans for jumping the red light are issued on the basis of violation captured through handheld cameras allotted to the field staff. “However, if there is any such instance of giving way to an ambulance and crossing the zebra or red light while doing so, we take it into consideration,” the SSP said.

What do the rules say

As per Section 194E of the MV Act, 1988, (Amended in 2019), whoever while driving a motor vehicle fails to draw to the side of the road on the approach of a fire service vehicle or an ambulance or any other emergency vehicle, shall be punishable with imprisonment for a term which may extend to six months or with a fine of Rs10,000 or both.

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