Man fined $3,000 USD for blocking ambulance in southern India
by Aditi VermaIn a shocking incident captured on dashcam, a man in southern India’s Kerala was fined Rs 2.5 lakh and had his license revoked for obstructing an ambulance on a narrow road.
The incident took place at the Chalakudy route leading to Thrissur Medical College in Thrissur district on November 7.
Visuals showed a silver Maruti Suzuki car obstructing an ambulance’s path along the Chalakudy route. Despite persistent honking and sirens from the ambulance, the car driver reportedly blocked every overtaking attempt.
According to reports, the vehicle owner was penalized for multiple violations, including failure to yield to an emergency vehicle, obstructing an authority’s function under the Motor Vehicles Act, and not possessing a valid Pollution Under Control Certificate (PUCC). Under Section 194E of the Motor Vehicles Act, failing to give way to an ambulance can result in imprisonment of up to six months, a fine of Rs 10,000, or both. However, Kerala Police imposed a hefty Rs 2.5 lakh fine in this case, likely due to the severity of the obstruction.
This incident, widely discussed on social media, underscores the critical importance of yielding to emergency vehicles, which could save lives.