Police: Ambulance in viral video directed to stop to avoid an accident

The Selangor Traffic Investigation and Enforcement Department (JSPT) has released a statement explaining that the police that directed an ambulance to make way for a minister’s convoy in the viral video had done so to avoid the risk of an accident.

Yesterday, a video showed an outrider police directing a Red Cross 4x4 and ambulance to stop at a junction to give way to a minister’s car, now confirmed to be the Prime Minister Dato Sri Ismail Sabri’s Toyota Vellfire and his entourage, went viral on various social media platforms.

This has sparked a storm of criticism from social media users about who has priority in this situation even if the ambulance is not answering an emergency call.

To address the issue, JSPT Superintendent Azman Shari’at stated that action was taken in accordance with Traffic Rule No. 9 LN 166/959 of the Road Transport Act 1987.

Also read: Video: Ambulance forced to make way for Menteri’s Vellfire; Who should have priority?

JSPT officers are instructed to always give priority to emergency vehicles carrying patients, but officers will still need to assess the situation and make a decision they believe is the safest for all parties.

Azman explained that in the video filmed at 11.30 am on Sunday (26-December), the officer in charge determined that it was dangerous for the ambulance and its accompanying 4x4 to cross at the time the convoy was passing through, hence he had directed them to stop.

At the time of the video, the Prime Minister’s entourage was on its way to Batu 16 to inspect the cleaning activities in Taman Sri Nanding to Masjid Al-Mustaqqim.

Azman also noted that the moment the PM’s convoy has passed through, the officer had immediately allowed the Red Cross ambulance to pass since there is no longer a risk of an accident.

“The police are always committed to ensuring the safety of road users and emergency vehicles like ambulances and firefighters.”