Make way for emergency vehicles Motube pleads

Motorists have been asked to make way for emergency vehicles as yielding for such could save lives and property.

The Botswana Police Service’s (BPS) public relations officer, assistant commissioner Dipheko Motube said he has observed that some motorists continue to fail to obey emergency vehicles signals, including but not limited to ambulances and fire engines.

He stated that yielding for emergency vehicles is important because victims would arrive on time and property could be salvaged if not saved from being gutted by fire. Motube stated that these trends have the potential to endanger the lives of those in need of assistance during that time.

“Whenever you hear the siren, pave the way and let the emergency vehicle pass. Even at the traffic light signals or bus stops, emergency vehicles are allowed to pass by offering the space for them to go through,” Motube said. Motube said he has established that some motorists believe that operators of emergency vehicles are taking advantage hence the resistance to paving the way. He stated this is a disturbing trend because lives could be lost as emergency vehicles take a longer time to reach their destinations.

The senior officer further stated that Sections 95–97 of the Road Traffic Act allow emergency vehicles to pass even when the traffic lights have gone red and not to halt at stop signs. But some people think by doing so the operators would be taking advantage of the privilege. Motube added that emergency vehicles are also allowed to drive at an excessive speed than the required limit as well as to contravene any provision of the law. “I plead with motorists to observe flash lights from emergency vehicles. The blue flashlight with a siren is used by the police or any other related law enforcement agencies while the red light with a siren is used by fire brigades being ambulances, med rescue teams and the military. The amber light without a siren is used in construction and for breakdown cars,” Motube said. Furwith thermore, he noted concern that some motorists continue to contravene the Road Traffic Act by parking their vehicles in unes designated places at shopping malls, business areas, schools, painted islands and pave- ments.