Kakkanad: A series of ambulance accidents across Ernakulam district in Kerala in recent weeks has raised serious concerns over speeding, safety compliance and enforcement of rules governing the operation of emergency vehicles.

In the latest case, a patient from Kalady died after the ambulance transporting him overturned near Aluva Pulinchodu last month. Earlier, an ambulance had turned turtle at Puthencruz. In another incident, an emergency vehicle returning to Kalamassery Medical College after dropping a patient at Kottayam Medical College overturned, leaving the driver and a nurse injured.

Earlier, an ambulance overturned on the Seaport–Airport Road. The vehicle, which lost control near Kalamassery, caused injuries to the patient and others. These accidents, reported from different parts of the district within a short span, point to a worrying trend.

According to findings by the Kerala Motor Vehicles Department (MVD), both ambulances carrying patients and those travelling without patients are increasingly getting involved in accidents.

With ambulance accidents on the rise, the MVD has urged drivers to exercise greater caution. The advisory stresses that speeding should be limited strictly to emergency situations and that all safety protocols must be followed.

Officials note that ambulances often travel at high speed even without patients. When questioned, drivers commonly respond that they are on the way to pick up a patient, making it difficult for enforcement officers to question them in detail.

Given Kochi’s chronic traffic congestion, there is also a growing demand for air ambulance services. Experts point out that high-speed ambulance travel on crowded roads is unsafe and also worsens traffic blocks.

Mandatory safety measures highlighted

The MVD has reiterated key safety requirements for ambulances:

  • The driver and front-seat passenger must wear seat belts.
  • No more than two attendants should accompany a patient.
  • Fire safety equipment must be installed and serviced regularly.
  • Oxygen cylinders must undergo annual servicing.
  • Engines, brakes and horns must be checked for efficiency.
  • ICU and super ICU facilities should be installed strictly according to vehicle size.

Driver awareness and counselling planned

Excessive speeding causes mental stress among ambulance drivers and can even lead to heart attacks. In response, Ernakulam RTO K.R. Suresh said steps would be taken to provide counselling support for ambulance drivers.

Tailgating ambulances can be dangerous

While ambulances are exempt from speed limits and allowed to use either side of the road, tailgating them closely is risky. Ambulances may apply sudden brakes at any moment, increasing the chances of accidents for trailing vehicles.