Kerala Man Fined Rs 2.5 Lakh, License Revoked For Blocking Ambulance — On Cam

Authorities imposed a hefty fine, including failing to yield to the ambulance, obstructing an authority under the Motor Vehicles Act, and lacking a valid Pollution Under Control Certificate (PUCC).

A private vehicle owner in the Thrissur district of Kerala was imposed with a fine of Rs 2.5 lakh and licence was revoked for blocking the path of an ambulance. The video of the incident captured on Dashcam went viral, leading to swift action by the Kerala Police.

According to a report by Times Now, the incident took place on November 7 along the Chalakudy route leading to Thrissur Medical College, though some reports suggest the ambulance was travelling from Ponnani. 

The viral clip shows a silver Maruti Suzuki car blocking the ambulance on a narrow, two-lane road. Despite the ambulance driver repeatedly honking and using the siren, the car driver allegedly prevented it from overtaking.

Authorities imposed a hefty fine for multiple violations, including failing to yield to the ambulance, obstructing an authority under the Motor Vehicles Act, and lacking a valid Pollution Under Control Certificate (PUCC).

Under Section 194E of the Motor Vehicles Act, any driver who fails to move aside to allow the passage of a fire service vehicle, ambulance, or other emergency vehicle designated by the State Government may face a penalty of up to six months imprisonment, a fine of Rs 10,000, or both.

Social Media Users Lashes Out To Viral Video

As soon as the video came to light on social media, netizens criticised the private vehicle for not allowing the Ambulance to pass. One of the users said, "@nitin_gadkari ji can you kindly ensure that as part of road safety rules and laws, giving way to ambulance is an important aspect and people who don't give way to it are punishable. Yesterday I saw a similar incident when an ambulance driver had to honk horn to ask for space."

Another said, "Such inhumane and selfish act must be a non-bailable offence. He must rot in jail."

The next said, "I wish his parents would have never let him born on this beautiful planet. And still I wish someday if he needs medical attention, people in front gives way for his ambulance."

Another user also said, "The fine of Rs. 2.5 lakh and cancellation of the license in this case can be seen as a strong legal consequence to discourage such behavior. It sends a clear message that traffic violations, especially those that impede emergency services, are taken very seriously. By imposing such severe penalties, the authorities are reinforcing the idea that public safety and human lives should always come before personal convenience or disregard for the rules."