Daijiworld Media Network - Mangaluru (SP/MS)

Mangaluru, Jul 20: The driver of a Maruti Ertiga car bearing registration No. KA19 MJ8924 was detained, his car was seized, and a fine was imposed. He had blocked the path of an ambulance on NH 66 stretch of Thokkottu to Pumpwell, by which a patient who was facing an emergency was being taken from Kanachur hospital to another hospital in the city. The incident had happened on the evening of Monday July 19 and the video clip of the same had gone viral on social media.

The accused has been identified as Charan (31). The viral video clearly showed the shabby and irresponsible way in which he was driving and blocking the ambulance instead of allowing it the right of way as per rules.

Station officer of Mangaluru traffic south police station registered a suo moto case under 279 IPC and 194 (E), based on the video clippings, and confiscated the vehicle and took accused Charan, who works in animation industry, into custody. Police have advised that if any emergency vehicle is obstructed while it is blaring siren and asking for way, the offender will be fined Rs 1,000 or jailed for six months or both. Accordingly, for over speed and negligent driving also, a fine of Rs 1,000 and six month of imprisonment will be slapped on the offender.

This happens to be one of the many such incidents which usually occur, in which the people fail to behave responsibly and show humanitarian concern for the patient in the ambulance. Moreover, the drivers are legally bound to provide for free passage to ambulances. The general public need to behave more responsibly and also ensure that drivers who behave inhumanly mend their ways.