Editorial | Give Way, Save Lives

Emergency vehicles are supposed to move at speed. Their flashing lights and sirens are not mere noises or signals. They are desperate pleas for assistance. They indicate that someone somewhere is in harm’s way. But in Kashmir, ambulances, police cars, and fire trucks are getting held up in traffic because other people don’t give them enough room.

Ambulance drivers complain that delays are the order of the day, particularly in Srinagar, where roads are narrow, there are encroachments, and people park whatever they like, reducing the flow to a crawl. As per local health department data, most ambulances waste 10 to 20 minutes in attempting to reach hospitals such as SKIMS or SMHS during peak hours. For a critically ill patient, those minutes make all the difference between life and death.

Firemen have the same difficulty. In congested areas such as Downtown, Rajbagh, and Sopore, fire engines are not able to go through owing to cars obstructing the road. In some of the fires, fire had spread all the sooner just because emergency cars were held up. Every lost minute doubles the destruction. But even with the flashing lights and the wailing sirens, the people do not react.

Police cars also suffer delays in reaching emergencies or law-and-order situations. The officers who actually turn up late are resented and criticized, even though the actual reason lies with public carelessness on the road. The delays undermine the effectiveness of the entire emergency response system.

This increasing lack of discipline is a danger to all of us. Yielding to emergency vehicles is not an act of charity; it is a moral and legal responsibility. The Motor Vehicles Act spells out that each driver is required to yield to ambulances, fire engines, and police vehicles when their sirens are on. But even awareness in Kashmir is low, and enforcement is poor.

The government and traffic police have tried to spread awareness, but much more is needed. Public campaigns must directly address this issue. Every driver should know how to react when a siren is heard. Schools and colleges should include this in road safety lessons. Media outlets, especially local radio and television, should carry strong messages about how delays in emergencies can cost lives.

The government can also enhance coordination. In big emergencies, traffic control rooms can make “green corridors” for ambulances through the busy routes of hospitals. Srinagar Traffic Police has sometimes done this, but it should be made a regular practice in the Valley. Technology too can be of assistance. With GPS-based technology, control rooms can track ambulances and regulate signals automatically for smooth passage.

Even the best systems, however, cannot substitute for simple civic sense. Individuals should understand that getting out of the way of an ambulance is free. It just takes patience and compassion. Your relative is inside that ambulance; you would want every vehicle to get out of the way. That is the same urgency you should follow in your own behavior on the roads.

Drivers must remain vigilant for flashing lights or sirens, don’t block the road, drive safely to the side, and never follow an ambulance to avoid traffic. When at an intersection, always yield and allow emergency vehicles through first. These little acts make a huge impact. They save lives, stress less for emergency responders, and foster trust between the public and vital services.

Ambulance drivers, paramedics, and firefighters are already working in extreme pressure. They endure long hours, poor roads, and harsh conditions. They need cooperation, not hurdles. Kashmiris have always united during emergencies—whether it is floods, snowfall, or unrest, people come together to assist one another. The same spirit should now translate to our roads.

Giving way is a small act, but it speaks about the kind of society we wish to be. It indicates that we care about human life, that we respect those serving others, and that we know our collective responsibility. The next time you hear the sound of a siren ringing in Lal Chowk or Pulwama, remember that it bears someone’s hope. Move aside, create room, and let it go through.

Because in Kashmir, where every moment matters and every life is precious, your one little act of responsibility may make someone live.