Traffic police to receive live feeds of emergency callers to make way for ambulance

In an effort to sensitise citizens and transport officials, the traffic police has partnered with NGOs to launch a campaign "Give Way for Ambulance". As part of this, the department plans to train constables, transport authorities and initiate new steps to ensure smooth and fast commuting of ambulance to hospitals.

The department is launching the campaign with NGO Radhee Foundation and Shriram Transport Company. Apart from putting up banners and posters about lane rules to be followed to give way for ambulance, the department plans to tie-up with hospitals to receive live feeds of emergencies.

Joint commissioner of police, traffic, B K Upadhayay, said, "We will have a dedicated police personnel in our main control room who will have access to the 108 (ambulance) number. He will receive information about each and every call and depending on how critical the patient is, he will inform the route constables, who will in turn man the traffic of that route in such a way that the ambulance can pass without any hassles. This will be applicable to every critical medical call including cardiac problem, accidents, labour pains, etc. Dedicated traffic team will be deployed who will be alerted immediately." He added that the department is planning to tie up with a mobile network provider for this.

The golden rule of "move to left and drive slow" will be put as banners across the city. "We will be creating awareness via banners, posters and also through FM channels to tell citizens that it is imperative that motorists move slow and shift to left to let the ambulance pass and not drive further down in the same direction. Under these circumstances, if the motorist cuts the lane or jumps a signal, he will not be penalised," said Quaisar Khalid, additional commissioner of police, Traffic.

The department also plans to create signboards of hospitals in various locations to help outstation ambulance drivers. "We plan to create signboards in places such as Parel, Peddar Road, etc. Cops will be given instructions on how to control traffic when an ambulance is on its way. More than the transport officials and traffic cops, we want public to be aware. We are sure that with this campaign, motorists will be more responsible and aware when they see an ambulance trying to zip through traffic. It will ensure in saving many lives," added Upadhyay.