ADU DHABI: Police have warned that motorists that block ambulances and emergency vehicles or fail to give them way in the event of an accident will face a fine of Dh 1000 as stipulated in the new traffic law
The Abu Dhabi Police on Friday told motorists to give way to ambulances and other emergency vehicles so that paramedics can reach patients and accident victims quickly.
Police said motorists who fail to move out of the way for ambulances remain one of the main obstacles facing the emergency service.
Major Abdullah Al-Qubaisi, head of the traffic control department at the Abu Dhabi Traffic and Patrols Directorate said they have started implementing the Dh 1000 fine for drivers blocking ambulances and other emergency vehicles which is part of the amendments made to the Federal Traffic Law, which came into effect on July 1.
“Sometimes cars are not giving way to emergency vehicles and ambulances and drivers struggle to get through the traffic jams to reach the accident scenes,” said Al Qubaisi.
“Drivers failing to give way for emergency vehicles put people’s lives in danger. Motorists should allow paramedics and rescue teams to do their work of saving lives by not blocking the emergency vehicles.”
Police said a rushing ambulance means someone’s life is in danger and a motorist can help save that life by giving way so that there is no delay in the treatment.
Al Qubaisi explained that the new fine for the offence of not giving way to ambulances and emergency vehicles aims to improve ambulance response times across Abu Dhabi by drivers not blocking their way.
He said drivers should pull to the side of the road to let ambulance teams pass and reach quickly to patients or accident victims.
Curious pedestrians crossing roads near accident scenes and gathering there have also been warned as they risk being knocked down by vehicles.
People filming or taking pictures of accident scenes without permission and posting them on social media have also been reminded that they are violating the privacy law and risk being prosecuted if caught by police.
