Jakarta –
In Malaysia, a viral video of the Malaysian Prime Minister’s (PM) entourage stopping the speed of an ambulance that was sounding a siren. Ambulances at the intersection were asked to stop and give way to VIP vehicles passing on the main road.
In the video, an ambulance belonging to the Red Crescent Society and a 4×4 offroad car in front of it were ordered to stop at a crossroads to give way to a convoy escorted by traffic police. The incident occurred when the Prime Minister of Malaysia was traveling for a field visit to observe the clean -up operation in Hulu Langat after the flash floods in Selangor.
Many think that this action is not appropriate. Because the ambulance that sounds the siren must be fast and on time to save the lives of the patients in it.
However, the Head of the Selangor Traffic Investigation and Enforcement Department (JSPT), Supt. Azman Shari’at said this action was taken to prevent accidents at intersections. According to him, the distance between the leading motorcade and the intersection was quite close at that time. The action was taken by the police so that the convoy (leading vehicle) did not collide with passing vehicles at the intersection.
He said the decision taken by the traffic officer was in accordance with the provisions of Traffic Regulation No. 9 LN 166/1959 of the 1987 Road Transport Act.
“In the situation seen in the video, if traffic personnel at the intersection prioritize 4×4 vehicles and ambulances belonging to the Red Crescent Society who want to exit the intersection onto the main road, it is an action that will pose a risk of accidents and endanger road users. Therefore, convoys on the main road are given priority routes to avoid accidents other than taking into account the initial assessment that has been carried out by traffic officers,” said the head of the Selangor Traffic Investigation and Enforcement Department (JSPT), Supt. Azman Shari’at in his statement was quoted as saying by The Rakyat Post.
He said that after the VIP convoy passed, traffic officials immediately took steps to prioritize the ambulance after there was no risk of an accident.
Continue to next page: President Jokowi’s Convoy Makes Way for Ambulance >>>
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