Calls to check speeding ambulances increase

CHENNAI: The death of two people in a private ambulance near Sriperumbudur on Saturday has again put into question the right of way on roads enjoyed by drivers of these vehicles. Sirens blaring, they hurtle down congested city roads at speeds where a momentary lapse can cost lives.
Police said the driver of the ambulance involved in Saturday’s accident was exhausted due to lack of sleep.Witness accounts also suggest that he was travelling at high speed. Such driving, many motorists say, endanger the lives of other road-users. “It is a great service to be an ambulance driver. But there needs to be checks to ensure the drivers do not exploit their position and get away with rash driving,” said Thirumurugan, a commuter in Adyar.
Traffic police officers say Saturday’s accident must be studied in isolation to ascertain whose fault it was. “The drivers work under a lot of pressure. There have been several cases where they have been appreciated for their efforts in saving lives,” said a senior officer.
In developed countries, ambulances are equipped with technology to control the traffic signals ahead to clear the path. “We lack such technology and there is added pressure on ambulance drivers to drive through one-way roads and other prohibited paths,” said the officer while denying that city ambulance drivers abused their privileges. “We rarely receive complaints about rash driving by ambulance drivers.”
Officials said stringent norms were applied to drivers in the screening for the Central government-funded 108 service which operates 751 ambulances in Tamil Nadu and handle 2,600 emergency cases a day.
Regional manager for GVK-EMRI 108 service in Tamil Nadu, B Prabhudoss, said safety was the chief concern. “We never lay emphasis on speed. If an ambulance is involved in an accident, we suspend or terminate the contract of the pilot (as drivers are referred to) based on the severity of the negligence.”
Prabhudoss said, “108 ambulances are installed with speed governors that restrict them from going faster than 60kmph, and 80kmph in some cases.”
In Saturday’s accident, the siren had been blaring despite the fact that it was carrying a body. “The use of the siren is at the discretion of the pilot. It adds to the stress levels, irritating the driver who is already under pressure,” Prabhudoss said. Ambulances of the 108 service employ six variations of the siren, including a long whistle or a short whistle depending on need, he said.
Abdullah.Nurullah@timesgroup.com