Singapore Expats

Is it normal for drivers to pretty much ignore yielding for an ambulance even when it's using lights and sirens?

Is this one of those cases where a law exists but it's not enforced? Seemed rather odd and wide spread occurrence.

Emergency response vehicles still need to stop at red lights on the way to an emergency, so there's that.

It's exactly the same as in China. Nobody gives a crap and everyone is number one on the road. "I don't have to look out for anyone else, because they will look out for me". Pretty much a selfish driving mentality.

The problem is, like HK, that emergency vehicles pretty much use their flashing lights the whole time, or at least even at times they are also not responding to an emergency.

Keep an eye for that one.

It then leads to confusion (easily done) and complacency (see point before) with motorists that even when they see flashing lights they can't believe vehicles are really is in a rush. Sirens is a slightly different matter and I have seen vehicles get/go through red lights using both and get past traffic on expressways.

It's disgusting, whether they are on the way to an emergency or for lunch, people should move out of their way when they have lights on!

I still maintain it's faster to get a taxi than an ambulance!

nakatago wrote:Emergency response vehicles still need to stop at red lights on the way to an emergency, so there's that.

I can never understand this part... I mean sure the ambulance should slow down through an intersection but the traffic going perpendicular to the ambulance should be freaking forced to stop and give way to the ambulance. If you so much as scratch the ambulance during an emergency, you should have your car impounded for a month...

Thrandos wrote:

nakatago wrote:Emergency response vehicles still need to stop at red lights on the way to an emergency, so there's that.

....

Back home, when Fire/Ambulances get caught in traffic jams, they switch to Plan B - they cross the divider, and a Bike outrider will clear the path driving against traffic, than try to fight their way through a congested road ..

it works .. and people understand when you see a Suzuki GS 500 heading your way, you pull over - since your side of the road maybe less congestd ..

Now, in Singapore, I am sure the drivers will not know how to react, and will drive headlong into the oncoming rider / ambulance ..

Years,ago, I remember the time I saw an accident unfolding in Orchard, sort of in slow motion.

Traffic towards Orchard / Dhoby Ghat was jammed, and a fellow was caught in the yellow box ..

The lights turned green for traffic for traffic Heading to Newton, and an Imprezza slammed the pedal and drove straight into the car stuck in the yellow box- the Subaru guy was just watching the Traffic light in his favour, not what was in front of him ..

Better the ambulances stop and wait for traffic light here, than they also become casualty of an impatient driver ..

Ambulance, fire engine, etc., to have right of way
12.—(1) Any vehicle used as an ambulance, or as a fire engine or for military, police, civil defence or customs purposes shall, when on an urgent duty call, have the right of way over all other traffic if such vehicle makes known its approach by means of some distinctive siren, bell or multi-toned horn, as the case may be.
(2) All traffic shall on the approach of any such vehicle, draw in as close to the left-hand or right-hand edge of the roadway as possible and all vehicles shall be brought to a standstill to allow a clear passage for such vehicle.
(3) Such action shall only be required of traffic when the vehicle is giving its recognised audible warning.

(4) Paragraph (1) shall not relieve the driver of any vehicle used for the purposes mentioned in that paragraph of his liability under the provisions of any law relating to dangerous, rash or negligent driving

Been a real bugbear of mine since coming here. I believe there are many unregulated ambulances on the road (private ambulance) and these are the ones which take the piss. The rules above says you only have move out of the way if there is a audible warning.

The Sger always quote rule number 4 as the get out clause they will not drive up on the pavement, cross a red light etc to get out of the way because they can be fined. The argument that surely the risk of small fine is worth it to save a life, falls onto deaf ears here.

QRM wrote:Ambulance, fire engine, etc., to have right of way
12.—(1) Any vehicle used as an ambulance, or as a fire engine or for military, police, civil defence or customs purposes shall, when on an urgent duty call, have the right of way over all other traffic if such vehicle makes known its approach by means of some distinctive siren, bell or multi-toned horn, as the case may be.
(2) All traffic shall on the approach of any such vehicle, draw in as close to the left-hand or right-hand edge of the roadway as possible and all vehicles shall be brought to a standstill to allow a clear passage for such vehicle.
(3) Such action shall only be required of traffic when the vehicle is giving its recognised audible warning.

(4) Paragraph (1) shall not relieve the driver of any vehicle used for the purposes mentioned in that paragraph of his liability under the provisions of any law relating to dangerous, rash or negligent driving

Been a real bugbear of mine since coming here. I believe there are many unregulated ambulances on the road (private ambulance) and these are the ones which take the piss. The rules above says you only have move out of the way if there is a audible warning.

The Sger always quote rule number 4 as the get out clause they will not drive up on the pavement, cross a red light etc to get out of the way because they can be fined. The argument that surely the risk of small fine is worth it to save a life, falls onto deaf ears here.

The country has a warped perception of priorities. It'll take generations to fix.

I have made observations on this before.

How one can be sitting in traffic, and not one vehicle moves over to let a vehicle 'on blue lights' go by.

Wouldn't want those near death, getting some kind of advantage over us would we?

... I'm planning on retiring somewhere where ambulances hold a bit more sway.

JR8 wrote:I have made observations on this before.

How one can be sitting in traffic, and not one vehicle moves over to let a vehicle 'on blue lights' go by.

Wouldn't want those near death, getting some kind of advantage over us would we?

... I'm planning on retiring somewhere where ambulances hold a bit more sway.

are you kidding ? If I move aside, maybe the guy behind me may jump ahead of me or sneak his nose in .. and win .. and I will loose ..

Re: Giving way, once in the Federal Highway - KL, there was a massive jam, and a driver decided to make a U-Turn and head to the nearest exit which was like a few yards past ... and the guys all moved aside to let him get out ..

Now in SG, I am sure all will stare straight ahead and act like "LOOK NO EVIL, SEE NO EVIL" ..

And forget the simple fact that letting a fellow out may mean others also can get out ..

ecureilx wrote:

JR8 wrote:I have made observations on this before.

How one can be sitting in traffic, and not one vehicle moves over to let a vehicle 'on blue lights' go by.

Wouldn't want those near death, getting some kind of advantage over us would we?

... I'm planning on retiring somewhere where ambulances hold a bit more sway.

are you kidding ? If I move aside, maybe the guy behind me may jump ahead of me or sneak his nose in .. and win .. and I will loose ..

Re: Giving way, once in the Federal Highway - KL, there was a massive jam, and a driver decided to make a U-Turn and head to the nearest exit which was like a few yards past ... and the guys all moved aside to let him get out ..

Now in SG, I am sure all will stare straight ahead and act like "LOOK NO EVIL, SEE NO EVIL" ..

And forget the simple fact that letting a fellow out may mean others also can get out ..

I have seen the same thing in KL, an ambulance pulled out into one of KL famous rush hour gridlock, and the cars parted like the red sea, people bouncing up payments etc to get out of its way, one car that did not move (probably a Singaporean on holiday the driver was yelled at. Which is why I always say driving in Malaysia is so much better than SG.

This calls for another government-run campaign, just like the Kindness campaign and such.

Already sad to see on the highways here signs saying "Give way to emergency vehicles" gives a grim impressions to tourist..

How can you have a campaign as the govt will be effective asking it's citizens to break "the law"!

nakatago wrote: The country has a warped perception of priorities. It'll take generations to fix.

+1

It is very hard to fathom this behavior when you have learnt to drive overseas and was taught making way for ambulances is one of the most important rules on the road.

But when the majority just ignore, then someone who tries urgently to get out the way will not really make any difference and actually creates a risk of a further accident and ambulance being needed. So it needs a serious, long-term effort (including training of new drivers) in order to change this.