Kerala: Vehicle driver who blocked ambulance fined 2.5 lakh rupees

Kerala police imposed a fine of Rs 2.5 lakh on a vehicle driver for obstructing an ambulance from Ponnani to Thrissur Medical College. The incident was recorded on the ambulance’s dashcam and the vehicle was seen following the silver Maruti Suzuki Ciaz for more than two minutes. Despite the ambulance’s siren and repeated horn sounds, the driver of the vehicle did not move to give way.

Kerala police identified the car using the license plate number from the dashcam footage. Although there were reports that the license had been revoked, BT was unable to independently confirm this.

A lawsuit was filed against the owner of the vehicle on charges of not pulling over to give way to an ambulance, not obstructing the duties of an official under the Motor Vehicles Act, and not having a Pollution Control Certificate (PUCC). According to the Kerala Motor Vehicles Department, the total fine for these offenses is Rs. 6,250, less than rumored. There has been no official statement yet regarding the revocation of the driver’s license. Under Section 194E of the Motor Vehicles Act, failure to yield to an ambulance can result in imprisonment of up to six months and a fine of Rs 1,000. 10,000 or both.

While the video of the incident went viral on social media, many people condemned the actions of the driver of the vehicle.

One user

Another user

Another user X praised the Kerala police for canceling the vehicle’s licence. “It is commendable that the police fined and disqualified the driver for blocking the ambulance. This is part of their duty. India needs more active traffic enforcement,” the user wrote.