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**The Monk** · 04-11-2013, 12:10 PM

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It is illegal to hinder the movement of an ambulance which has its siren on. If on the other hand you are on a 4 lane road and you will be not interfering in the progress of the ambulance then there is nothing wrong.

**krish2778** · 04-11-2013, 12:13 PM

Interesting topic. Never faced such a situation here of overtaking a ambulance with lights on.

I woukd stick with monk's opinion.

I really appreciate wjat you did there. Not sure how many people would be as thoughtful.

Cheees
Ride safe
Krishna

**ravi@17bhp** · 04-11-2013, 12:25 PM

@bbsrailfan, why do you have to reduce the speeds and trail behind the ambulance when you are riding at speeds much higher than ambulance. If I were you I would just go ahead at my speed. If I am going at the same speed as the ambulance, then I would give way without hindering its movement.

**whymail** · 04-11-2013, 12:33 PM

shouldnt be an issue so long as u stick to ur lane & are not causing any hindrance to the passage of ambulance.

**bbsrailfan** · 04-12-2013, 11:53 AM

Originally posted by The Monk View Post

If on the other hand you are on a 4 lane road and you will be not interfering in the progress of the ambulance then there is nothing wrong.

Originally posted by krish2778 View Post

Interesting topic. Never faced such a situation here of overtaking a ambulance with lights on.

We are talking of a 4-lane highway here - let's assume that we do not hinder the movement of the ambulance.

@ravi@17bhp: Purely on ethical grounds...as i said before. Just wanted to know what other bikers think of it on ethical grounds.

**abhimanyu31** · 04-12-2013, 01:08 PM

Originally posted by The Monk View Post

If on the other hand you are on a 4 lane road and you will be not interfering in the progress of the ambulance then there is nothing wrong.

Internationally, even if you are in a 4 lane road, the ambulance has a priority over the whole road. YOU CANNOT RUN besides it on either side lanes nor can you go faster than the ambulance in any of these lanes for the simple fact that the ambulance has the right and will be running above the legal speed limit whereas you as a ordinary citizen is obligated to drive/ ride with the prescribed speed limit. Incidentally, all roads in India also have a prescribed speed limit. Therefore, if you are going faster than a ambulance (no matter how many lanes are there), you are already breaking the law.

**The Monk** · 04-12-2013, 01:17 PM

Originally posted by abhimanyu31 View Post

Internationally, even if you are in a 4 lane road, the ambulance has a priority over the whole road. YOU CANNOT RUN besides it on either side lanes nor can you go faster than the ambulance in any of these lanes for the simple fact that the ambulance has the right and will be running above the legal speed limit whereas you as a ordinary citizen is obligated to drive/ ride with the prescribed speed limit. Incidentally, all roads in India also have a prescribed speed limit. Therefore, if you are going faster than a ambulance (no matter how many lanes are there), you are already breaking the law.

Completely agree with you, but as you yourself say, if you are riding on Indian highways, you are always breaking the speed limit. And therefore the law!

Most highways have a speed limit of 80 kmph. Most bikes are moving at 110+ kmph. Most ambulances of India (especially on highways in semi-urban/rural areas) are Maruti Vans, which means they can't, even if they floor the pedal, go beyond 70 kmph. And there lies the predicament, do you hold throttle and breeze past in a few seconds without remotely disturbing the Ambulance, or do you slow down to a speed (less than 70) which might land you in a hospital?

**bbsrailfan** · 04-12-2013, 01:32 PM

Originally posted by The Monk View Post

Most highways have a speed limit of 80 kmph. Most bikes are moving at 110+ kmph. Most ambulances of India (especially on highways in semi-urban/rural areas) are Maruti Vans, which means they can't, even if they floor the pedal, go beyond 70 kmph. And there lies the predicament, do you hold throttle and breeze past in a few seconds without remotely disturbing the Ambulance, or do you slow down to a speed (less than 70) which might land you in a hospital?

Frankly I don't see how slowing down to 70 can land me in a hospital!!!! 90% of the sub-150cc bikes out there will be riding at 60-70 kph, as they just can't go faster than that!
Coming to topic, this was not at all about whether it's legal/illegal or should/shouldn't...it was just about what rider's think of this matter. So now I guess I was just being over conscientious, as most of the bikers don't think it's ethically rude to overtake an Ambulance.

**The Monk** · 04-12-2013, 01:45 PM

Originally posted by bbsrailfan View Post

Frankly I don't see how slowing down to 70 can land me in a hospital!!!! 90% of the sub-150cc bikes out there will be riding at 60-70 kph, as they just can't go faster than that!
Coming to topic, this was not at all about whether it's legal/illegal or should/shouldn't...it was just about what rider's think of this matter. So now I guess I was just being over conscientious, as most of the bikers don't think it's ethically rude to overtake an Ambulance.

Riding on a 4 laner, doing 110, see an ambulance and drop anchor to go below 70. Car behind doing 150, ignores ambulance and doesn't biker to slow down so suddenly, ploughs into rider, sending him straight into the ambulance and into hospital.

I have had too many near misses because of riding slow on highways. I prefer to err on the side of caution and avoid riding in the 60-80 kmph band on most indian highways.

If I come across such scenario, I will overtake cautiously.

**adityabhelke** · 04-12-2013, 02:23 PM

I would do the following on a 4 laner.
1. Assess any threats or impact if I were to overtake the ambulance
2. Wish for the occupant inside the ambulance for a speedy recovery
3. Overtake based on personal judgement, leaving a huge margin of safety for everyone

In the city I just do point 2, and fall back much much behind.

**Mik** · 04-12-2013, 02:36 PM

Originally posted by The Monk View Post

I have had too many near misses because of riding slow on highways. I prefer to err on the side of caution and avoid riding in the 60-80 kmph band on most indian highways.

If I come across such scenario, I will overtake cautiously.

Agree whole-heartedly. It is not practical to follow speed limit on Indian highways. By the way, for two-wheelers its a measly 50kmph (atleast on delhi - ambala stretch)
I generally try to be 5 or 10 kmph faster than the cars on the road. This eliminates to a large extent any chances of tailgating, keeps me focussed and the bike still has enough grunt for any emergency maneuvers and overtakes.
About ambulances - i think its best to leave it alone. If you are faster, make your overtake without honking or flashing your lights giving the ambulance a wide margin. Tailing an ambulance, atleast in a car, is also rude to other road users. If they are making way for the ambulance, you become an undeserving beneficiary of that. Better to be in a different lane (this is only for cars)

**nagoo** · 04-12-2013, 03:31 PM

its always wise to allow Ambulance to go ahead of you. more than ethics, here safety matters, as by law you can't do much if you have ended in trouble coz of ambulance.
remember the ambulance will be racing against time and even by his mistake you should not end up in trouble on road. that's all

**accuengineer** · 04-12-2013, 04:20 PM

Well as a person and as a responsible biker . Even If I was riding at a higher speed than a ambulance. The first thing I do is to let the throttle and just a small pray for the person inside for speedy recovery and will never overtake the ambulance. The reasons are as follows.
1. Even if it is a 4 lane highway. The ambulance can suddenly change lane without warning and move towards you.
2. The atmosphere inside the vehicle will be tensed which will also affect the concentration of the driver. Even if the driver is extremely skilled and calm, he will seldom notice a bike at the side or behind.
3. A personal satisfaction of helping someone indirectly in saving their life.

Well these are my views.

cheers

Mathews

**dual disc 200** · 04-12-2013, 04:23 PM

There's nothing more important than letting go off an Ambulance that is trying to save a Man's Life irrespective of whatever speed we are carrying ourselves in. *Period*

Just my thoughts..

Yes, it's rude!	63.64%	14 votes
i don't think anyone would bother.	36.36%	8 votes

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