Stop obstructing emergency vehicles, motorists urged
umm al quwain — The civil defence department in the emirate has urged the public to give way to emergency vehicles and ambulances. The department has made a special video on the issue and shared it on its official account on Instagram.
“The video in Urdu with Arabic subtitles is meant to raise public awareness, particularly among road users, on how critical it is to give priority to civil defence vehicles,” an official told Khaleej Times.
“The video says ‘clear the road and give way to emergency vehicles to reach the accident site as soon as possible’,” they added.
“Helping emergency vehicles reach the accident site quickly saves people’s life,” an UAQ firefighter says in the video.
Sherif Al Wakeel, an Egyptian contractor who carries out different projects in the emirate, told
Khaleej Times that drivers who are reluctant to give way to emergency vehicles must be fined.
“Simply name and shame the violators,” Mohammed Abbas, a Sudanese resident at Al Ramla area, said.
“Some careless drivers even race to follow the emergency vehicles, and that may lead to accidents.”
As per the amended federal traffic law, a fine of Dh1,000 along with six black points shall be slapped against any driver who obstructs the way of emergency vehicles. Inspection campaigns shall be intensified by the law enforcement bodies to detect and nab such violators. ahmedshaaban@khaleejtimes.com