Failure to give way to emergency vehicles increases in Ramadan
sharjah — In their rush to reach home for Iftar, motorists are increasingly not giving way to emergency vehicles, the Sharjah Police have said. The phenomenon increases during Ramadan — especially in the two hours before Iftar, the police said.
“Give way to the emergency vehicles... This could be the only hope to save someone’s life. When they are delayed, it could result in death or some other disaster,” a top police official said.
Commenting on the motorists’ mad rush to reach home for Iftar, the officer said: “If getting delayed for Iftar saves someone’s life, Allah will offer adequate rewards for that effort.”
According to Major Rashid bin Sandal, head of the rescue department, during non-Ramadan days, the violation is committed by a “small group of motorists”. “It occurs only during the peak hours of the morning and evening. Some motorists are indifferent to giving way to emergency vehicles because they are unaware of the consequences of their actions,” he said.
The police are now working to increase awareness about the issue.
Another problem emergency personnel face is bystanders gathering around accident sites. “This action obstructs ambulance, rescue and emergency operations. It delays access to rescue the injured and also leads to the deterioration of the patient’s condition, especially if he/she is bleeding,” the officer said.
According to a federal law, gathering around accident sites is punishable with a Dh1,000 fine.
Lieutenant-Colonel Mualla Humaid Al Mualla, director of operations department, Sharjah Civil Defence, said the duties of firefighters are not restricted to controlling fires. “Our duties also include rescue operations and saving lives of those trapped in narrow spaces — whether in elevators or traffic accidents.”
Giving way to emergency vehicles is a “binding requirement for all drivers to perform their humanitarian duty”.
Dirhams fine for gathering around accident sites
“But in fact, it is one of the dilemmas we face on a daily basis. Every second in emergency operations is of great importance to save lives. Giving way to emergency vehicle
Some motorists are indifferent to giving way to emergency vehicles because they are unaware of the consequences of their actions.”
Major Rashid bin Sandal, head of the rescue department
would contribute to saving lives of individuals.”
Ahmed Al Hajri, deputy executive director of the National Ambulance Department, said since
Every second in emergency operations is of great importance. Giving way to emergency vehicle helps us save lives.” Lieutenant-Colonel Mualla Humaid Al Mualla,
Sharjah Civil Defence
2014, the number of cars hindering the movement of emergency vehicles has decreased. “Earlier, there were seven to 10 cars found hindering the movement of the emergency vehicles in a year, now we see just about one. The awareness launched by the police has contributed significantly to solving or at least reducing the problem.”
Hajri urged road users to be “active partners” by demonstrating community responsibility and willingness to support road safety by giving priority to emergency vehicles.
He urged the public to report accidents on 999, 998 or 997 and describe the condition of the injured person so that paramedics can be ready to assist even before they reach the site.