Beware: Motorists blocking ambulances face arrest

By CYRUS OMBATI

Nairobi,Kenya:Inspector General of Police David Kimaiyo (pictured) has ordered officers to arrest motorists who block police vehicles, ambulances or fire engines responding to emergency calls.

Kimaiyo cited the law which directs that emergency vehicles with blaring sirens have right of way.

He said Traffic Act Cap 403, Section 119 stipulates that “every driver shall upon hearing of any gong, bell (other than a bicycle) or siren indicating the approach of a police vehicle, ambulance, fire engine at once give such vehicle right of way and if necessary pull his/her vehicle to the side of the road until it has passed”.

He said he has noticed a number of motorists block the said vehicles, some of which could be responding to emergencies.

It is also not clear why police need to be reminded on why and how they should effect the law.

“I am therefore ordering the arrest of all motorists who will not pull over near side of the road until a police vehicle, ambulance or fire engine has passed,” he said in a posting on his Facebook account.

He also told owners of hearses that the only persons allowed to flash or wail roof beacons (sirens) are drivers of police vehicles, ambulances and fire engines.

He seemed to respond to cases of hearses flashing sirens whenever they are on the move. Former police boss Hussein Ali had banned the funeral vehicles from using sirens.