Any motorist obstructing the way of emergency response vehicles like ambulances, Police Control Room (PCR) vans and fire tenders will now be slapped with a fine of Rs2,000 apart from facing legal action, the Delhi Traffic Police said on Wednesday. The extreme right lane on roads, having three or more lanes, will have to be given away for passage of emergency response vehicles if sirens are sounded by them.
Special Commissioner Traffic Police Muktesh Chander added that punitive action has already been issued to prosecute the violators. “A notification was issued regarding free passage to emergency vehicles in the National Capital Territory (NCT) of Delhi. A letter in this regard has been sent to the Union and State Health departments on September 8 to sensitise the drivers/operators of these emergency vehicles about the said notification,” the Special CP Traffic said.
According to the circular, the extreme right lane on roads, having three or more lanes, will be used by the emergency vehicles when necessary. These vehicles, after indicating through a siren and flashing of lights, will have the right to override over all motorised traffic. All other categories of vehicles shall vacate the extreme right lane by moving to the left of the road/street, as per the notification.
The Traffic Police chief, however said, they have not received any single complaint in this regard till date.”We are now going directly write to all the hospitals about the decision. The errant motorists will be fined Rs2,000 and they will also face legal action,” he added. He also said that the hospitals can lodge complaint against erring motorist with evidence in the form of photo or videos along with the vehicle number so that action can be taken.
“It is requested that necessary directions in this respect may be issued to all concerned hospitals/nursing homes/fire/stations etc, in the NCT of Delhi functioning under your administrative control to sensitise all drivers/operators of these emergency vehicles thoroughly”, the letter by the Special CP Traffic said.
“It is further requested that if any violation of the provision contained in the notification is noticed by the drivers of these emergency vehicles, the same may be brought to the notice of Delhi Traffic Police for taking necessary legal action against the erring motor vehicles,” the letter said.