Well I agree 100% to what abhimanyu31 has said. However the speed limit for two wheelers on most highways is 60kmph so on a highway even a 150cc bike is generally breaking the law. And as a previous owner of a Maruti Van (common choice for ambulances) I have actually done 113 in that vehicle so yeah if the ambulance wants it can definitely go at 100.

Now if its a 4 lane road and the ambulance is going at 80 and you are doing a 100 and there is no traffic then by all means go ahead and overtake. However I never do this for the simple reason that even if there is a little bit of traffic, there will come an eventual time where you will have to stop over the side of the road and allow the ambulance to pass.

Like Dual Disc meant, nothing is more important that another person's life. It is much better to simply cruise behind an ambulance as it makes its way for you, than to overtake and then wait on the side of the road to let it pass or even worse, yourself prove be a possible hindrance.

I also had same type of situation once. A vehicle with flashing lights was coming from the backside. First I thought it was a VVIP convoy but when it was near I found out that it was an ambulance and I was following them for sometime at the speed on 95-100 km/hr on my speedo and they were looking at me very strangely and then I got embarrassed and gave up. I think it's better to let them alone. Although we are breaking the law of speed and upon that chasing or overtaking an ambulance is not worth.

AFAIK 50 KMPH is the max speed a two wheeler is allowed to achieve in any road in India. At least that is printed in the guide book given to us from the RTO and told by the MVI in Kerala. I've seen these sign boards through out the NH stretch which says the same. That said we all are breaking this speed limit almost every time we are on our bikes and riding them. Hence it seems that the Police and MVI have decided to look for a max 70 KMPH here in Kerala, which of course is unofficial. Our speed trap camera and all detect 70 KMPH as the max permitted speed limit. I've been clicked thrice while doing ~75 while the trap never bothered when I was under 70 KMPH.


Coming to the discussion here. I haven't come across a scenario as explained, but I've stopped my bike and pulled over to the side so as to let the ambulance coming from far behind to pass. When you put on the indicators and pull over when you hear a siren I've noticed that the guy next or behind you will do the same. I do the same when encountered with an ambulance approaching from front.


If I come across a situation where I'm speeding ~100 and it is possible to overtake an ambulance I'll never do that. I'll just trail behind the ambulance. Also, point to be noted, the ambulances here: they don't go sub 80-90 speeds and those are the max I can do on the highways here in Kerala.

I think what you said putting the indicators and giving the way to the Ambulance is done by everyone in city and town limits because there is no other way around. I think this question is raised in the perspective of overtaking an ambulance on highways because in city or town limits anyone doing even 70km/hr speed chasing or ovretaking an ambulance is a fool indeed!

My experience was on NH - 47 Highways at Night somewhere around 10 p.m. with nil traffic.

if you can safely overtake ambulance, you can do so, without obstructing the path of ambulance.

Of course, I too am talking about NH 47 Trivandrum to Ernakulam stretch in Kerala. I haven't seen a 4 lane road in this stretch which could allow a rider to safely overtake any vehicle, let alone a speeding ambulance, without obstructing its path at least temporarily. Also I don't think my understanding and opinion is going to change even in a 4 lane highway. I'll still prefer 'crawling' behind this ambulance.

In a high speed run, where a life might depend on how fast you can reach the nearest hospital, any driver may feel a bit tensed and it will be better to let him concentrate on the road and the vehicle rather than a lone rider trying to overtake him. I do the same in case a vehicle which is not an ambulance comes in either direction with headlights on and horns screaming out loud 'EMERGENCY'.

May be it's a personal thing. I do feel responsible if something happens because of my fault. I'm not saying that you must not overtake the ambulance, but you must do it on discretion.

You have put it short and brilliantly.

I think there is little conflict here between how it is in the book and how it's actually on the road. Speed limits on NHs and SHs are a joke in India. 100% of road users break them except those who dont have ample bhps to floor it.

I usually do this
Scenario 1, If I am going faster than the ambulance: I keep it that way, but I sometimes HONK in an attempt to alert the traffic ahead.
Scenario 2, If I am driving slower than the ambulance/or ambulance is approaching me with a greater speed: I indicate left, move and give way.
Scenario 3, If I am ahead of the ambulance and we both are travelling at the same speed: I repeat scenario 2 by slowing down.

PS: Just for the general information, there are three different types of Ambulances that are operated in India under RTO registration.

1. Patient Transport (PT) Ambulances (equipped with first aid, oxygen cylinder and resuscitation kit)
2. Basic Life Support (BLS) Ambulances (in addition to PTA equipments they usually carry blood pressure monitor, 2 stretchers, spinal immobilization devices etc.)
3. Advance Life Support (ALS) Ambulances (almost a mini hospital on the go, they actually have facilities to do emergency surgeries if required)

So while calling to hospitals, ask for a basic or life support ambulances, whenever you require medical assistance for serious injuries.

Thank you for the additional info. I, for one, never knew there are such distinctions.

If you are going faster than an ambulance and you know that you being there on that part of the road is not going to be a problem for the ambulance, then there is no problem in keeping it that way. But, I somehow feels the urge to slow down. I think it comes from past experiences.

Also if I can hear the siren from far away that means the ambulance is catching up and I need to either speed away or slow down. I prefer slowing down and giving way because of the above said urge.

Well, what can you do about the ambulance running at just 90-100. The ambulance driver does it just to ensure safety and responsibility. But that does not mean it it should hinder our path.

I am a doctor and on my commute between home and work, I have to drive by atleast 4 major city hospitals. So its a given that I always meet ambulances driving along side me. The only think I do is to give way to the ambulance by either riding out of its lane so that it can overtake, or defer cutting into the lane in which the ambulance shall pass. If its get stuck ahead in the traffic jam, how can I help by not over-taking it? The ambulance being a large vehicle needs so much space, while my bike can emerge out of three-feet wide lacunae between vehicles.

Well, so far havenot encountered an ambulance on a highway so cannot comment. But yes on the busy streets of Mumbai, if an ambulance has its flashers and horns on then I do give way to it without. Any attempt to overtake or anything.

Hypothetically speaking: if I ever had to go through such a routine on a highway then yes I would give the way to the ambulance and not attempt to overtake it.


Cheers,

I would ride normally without thinking that any ambulance is around.. When the siren approaches me and is in close proximity, I would make a sideway move.

Re: Is it rude to overtake an Ambulance?

it all comes to what you feel, and if you are in a city road or something like that, it's rude but if you are in open highways where in you have separate lanes, it ain't an issue as you will be in a different lane. . .

Cheers!!!

Re: Is it rude to overtake an Ambulance?

Bit different, in city traffic I will allow anbulance to overtake and tail it from behind people give way for ambulance and il use that way to reach faster

Sent from my MT11i

Re: Is it rude to overtake an Ambulance?


Agreed!
Poet + Biker = RSM2852