Explained: Why ambulances use sirens even without patients onboard

A police ambulance leaves Wilson Airport. [File]

A recent video showing an ambulance stuck in traffic while transporting a sick person has reignited public debate on social media. 

While many users called on motorists to give way, others questioned the intentions of some ambulance drivers, accusing them of misusing sirens for personal convenience.  

But according to Dr Kihuga Moses, a medical professional who regularly uses social media to educate the public, sirens are not always an indication that a patient is onboard. 

Kihuga explains several legitimate reasons an ambulance may be speeding with its siren on, even if it's empty.  

“There are instances where an ambulance is urgently needed to pick up a doctor or specialist to attend to a patient,” Dr. Kihuga said. 

“Other times, it is dispatched to fetch essential supplies like a specific blood type or medicine for a patient who cannot be moved.”  

He emphasised that every ambulance trip is part of a life-saving process, whether transporting a patient, collecting vital medical supplies, or rushing a specialist to the scene.  
His remarks come amid troubling road safety statistics. 

Recently, a report by the National Transport and Safety Authority (NTSA) showed that at least 1,139 people died in road crashes between January 1 and March 31, 2025. 

Although the figures are slightly lower than the 1,166 deaths recorded during the same period last year, the authority notes that many of these lives could have been saved with faster access to emergency care.  

According to Kihuga, motorists should always give way to ambulances, regardless of whether a patient is visible, as such prompt ambulance response can significantly reduce fatalities.  

“Every move is geared toward saving a life,” he said.