Nandhu uncle was having his evening tea. Keshav joined Nandhu uncle with his cup of tea.

Keshav: “Uncle, can you tell me about the traffic rules of Ambulance 108 and the rules to follow if you see an ambulance on the road?”

Nandhu Uncle: “Keshav we should not talk while eating. I will explain after finishing up the tea”

Keshav: “Okay uncle. Sorry”

(Nandhu Uncle and Keshav had their tea and started discussing about the road rules when we see an ambulance on the road. Let’s learn those rules too.)

Nandhu Uncle: “Keshav, 108 is a van for emergency treatment. It is white in color with a lamp flashing at the top with sirens on to show the indication of the state of emergency. When you hear an ambulance sound,  it is not just the sound of a vehicle but you should realize that there’s someone within the vehicle is in life danger and needs medical treatment as soon as possible.

Ambulance 108 Response Service:

• Anyone who needs emergency medical help can get 108 emergency service.
• 108 Ambulance will come directly to the place where the help is needed.
• The medical team will give first aid and take the patient to the nearest hospital.
• Nearby hospital could be either private or a government hospital. Patient or their relatives can decide if they want to take the patient to the private or government hospital.
• Perhaps someone who has been admitted in a private hospital cannot use 108 service to take them to a government or another private hospital for emergency treatment.
• The physician of the private hospital treating the patient can access the 108 service directly.
• 108 services will be provided to children and pregnant women at any hospital in case of an emergency.

Keshav: “Uncle, what should a pedestrian or vehicle do when they see an ambulance?”

Nandhu Uncle: “Good question. The following are the traffic rules that a driver of a vehicle must follow when they see an ambulance:

• Driver should not panic when they see an ambulance coming and should observe the direction the ambulance is coming from.
• If the ambulance is coming from behind the vehicle we are driving, we must safely move our vehicle to the left.
• If the ambulance is coming in front of the vehicle we are driving, we must safely move our vehicle to the right.
• Make sure to check and see if there are other vehicles coming behind. If you move too quickly without noticing these, your vehicle is likely to collide with a vehicle coming from behind or in front.
• If it is not safe to move your vehicle to the left or right, then slow down where you are. Or park the vehicle right there. This will help the ambulance driver understand the situation and will drive accordingly to pass your vehicle.
• Do not attempt to overtake another vehicle at this time. Others will try to follow the same way and this may lead to massive accidents.

When a pedestrian see an ambulance, they should wait until the ambulance crosses that place even if there’s a green signal to cross the road.

Making fake calls to 108 service is indirectly killing another person who’s in real need. Do not engage in such anti-social activities. We should make our contribution to this life- saving emergency service when we see 108 Ambulance Vehicles in the roads and save lives”

Keshav: “All right. I learned traffic rules from you. Thank you Uncle!”