Kerala Man Fined ₹2.5 Lakh for Blocking Ambulance; License Reportedly Revoked
Kerala Man Fined ₹2.5 Lakh for Blocking Ambulance; License Reportedly Revoked
Dashcam footage of the incident sparks outrage on social media, highlighting the consequences of obstructing emergency vehicles.
A man from Thrissur, Kerala, faces severe penalties after blocking the path of an ambulance, including a hefty fine of ₹2.5 lakh and the reported revocation of his driving license. The incident, which occurred on November 7, gained widespread attention after paramedics shared dashcam footage of the episode on social media.
The video shows the ambulance, with its siren blaring and horn honking persistently, stuck behind a Maruti Suzuki Ciaz. For over two minutes, the driver of the car repeatedly blocked attempts by the ambulance to overtake, causing a delay in the vehicle’s emergency response.
Police identified the driver using the car’s registration number from the footage. The driver was charged under multiple sections of the Motor Vehicles Act, including failing to yield to an ambulance, obstructing the duties of an empowered authority, and not possessing a valid Pollution Under Control Certificate (PUCC).
Penalties and Legal Provisions
While the Motor Vehicles Department of Kerala typically imposes a fine of ₹6,250 for these offences, a significantly higher penalty of ₹2.5 lakh was levied in this case due to the severity of the act. Official confirmation regarding the revocation of the driver’s license has not yet been released.
Under Section 194E of the Motor Vehicles Act, blocking an ambulance can result in a fine of up to ₹10,000, imprisonment of up to six months, or both. The incident has reignited conversations about the importance of giving way to emergency vehicles and the consequences of negligence.
The viral video drew widespread outrage, with many praising the police for their stringent action. However, some netizens pointed out concerns about rash driving by ambulance operators, which they argue could also lead to accidents.
A user raised concern and wrote, “I don’t know why ambulance was deliberately trying to get close to the car. In the screenshot you can see he had lot of space but still he focused on honking. I think ambulance driver should be booked for creating false scene”
In a related incident in October, a critically ill patient died when an ambulance transporting him crashed into a house in Kanjirappally, Kottayam, underscoring the risks involved in emergency vehicle operations.
The case serves as a stark reminder of the legal and ethical responsibility to prioritize emergency vehicles. Failing to do so not only endangers lives but also carries significant legal repercussions.
