Bigger fine for blocking way of emergency vehicles

Motorists in Delhi who repeatedly block way of emergency vehicles — fire tenders, ambulances, police vans etc — might soon have to pay hefty fines for it. Subhendu Ray reports.

Motorists in Delhi who repeatedly block way of emergency vehicles — fire tenders, ambulances, police vans etc — might soon have to pay hefty fines for it.

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After the success of their experiment of hefty fine on those straying into lanes dedicated for Commonwealth Games-related traffic, the Delhi traffic police proposed to increase penalty for those who violate traffic rules by "not giving precedence to emergency vehicles".

Joint commissioner of police (traffic) Satyendra Garg said, "The penalty which is now R100 might go up to R2,000."

"We recently sent a proposal about it to the authorities concerned. We hope this will get approvals from all quarters," Garg said.

According to a senior officer of the traffic department, Delhi’s lieutenant-governor Tejendra Khanna has already given a verbal nod to the idea of heftier fine.

On September 9, the traffic police conducted a special drive and prosecuted 226 vehicles that violated the norm.

However, in the drive, the motorists only had to pay R100.

"It was the first-of-its-kind drive conducted to help educate people about giving precedence to emergency vehicles," said a senior traffic police officer.

"As per the rules, people should let an emergency vehicle pass on their right. Motorists should move to the left and stop. But Delhiites will not learn a lesson unless you become ruthless."