Several Penang motorists using the Jalan Belimbing road at Bukit Mertajam had a scary episode this morning (Wednesday, 6th September).
A private ambulance was making its way to Simpang Ampat after getting a distress call. As it was beating the red light at the Jalan Song Ban Keng-Pusat Perniagaan Gemilang traffic lights junction, a smaller vehicle (believed to be a Kancil) collided into the ambulance. This cause the ambulance to skid and slam into a few motorcyclists.
“When the ambulance reached the middle of the road, the ambulance was rammed by another car. As a result of the collision, the ambulance skidded to the opposite lane and rammed into a group of motorcyclists. 2 motorcyclists were involved. One of them has lodged a report while the other is being treated for injuries,” Seberang Prai Tengah district police chief Assistant Commissioner Nik Ros Azhan Nik Abdul Hamid told NST.
“I pass this junction nearly everyday. Those cars coming from the right are always very fast (straight road) and … they don’t follow lane, always cut queue, (and) never use signal light,” a fellow Penangite commented.
Another netizen added, “Even though ambulance can ignore traffic light and other traffic rules during emergency, such action must be taken with utmost care that it won’t put others at risk. It’s all up to the ambulance driver to decide whether it is safe to cross the red light“.
Watch the clip here:
Nik Ros Azhan shared that the ambulance was empty during the accident. According to reports, the ambulance driver and the driver responsible for crashing into the ambulance have not lodge a report yet.
This case is currently being investigated under Rule 17 LN167/59 of the Road Traffic Rules 1959.
Source: Lowyat Forum.
