AN AMBULANCE rushing to pick-up a patient jumped the red light at an intersection in Prachinburi and hit a vegetable pick-up truck with four hospital employees being injured in the collision this evening (Nov. 6), Matichon newspaper said.

 

At 7.30 p.m. Pol. Lt. Col. Suwit Suijaroon, an inspector at Ra Bo Pai police station, was alerted of the accident at the intersection of roads 3079 and 359 in Krok Somboon subdistrict, Si Maha Phot district, and quickly rushed there with rescuers.

 

At the scene they found the ambulance flipped on its side with one of the rear wheels detached and lying five metres away. A badly-injured woman wearing a hospital uniform was lying on a grassy area by the roadside while three others were likewise injured and trapped in the vehicle. The rescuers quickly got those stuck in the ambulance out and rushed all four to the hospital.

 

by TNR Staff

TOP: A composite photo showing the accident this evening, Nov. 6, 2023. Credit: Matichon

 

Full story: THAI NEWSROOM 2023-11-07

 

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if you are going to go through a red light you must assume it is green for everyone in the opposite direction, you must proceed with the utmost caution, flashing lights and sirens does not give you right of way, it might help you continue if safe to do so

I wonder if the vegetable truck had it's lights on, I always see so many cars & bikes driving at night with no lights.

56 minutes ago, smedly said:

 flashing lights and sirens does not give you right of way

In most countries flashing lights and sirens DO give emergency vehicles the right of way

22 minutes ago, Skipalongcassidy said:

In most countries flashing lights and sirens DO give emergency vehicles the right of way

only if safe to proceed

A lot of Thais as we have seen in the past tend to ignore ambulances flashing lights and sirens.

2 hours ago, smedly said:

flashing lights and sirens does not give you right of way

Yes, it does in most countries! That´s kind of why they have flashing lights and sirens, for other motorists and pedestrians to give way for them. Also, can find a lot in the name emergency vehicle.

2 minutes ago, billbenbob said:

A lot of Thais as we have seen in the past tend to ignore ambulances flashing lights and sirens.

 

 

A lot of falangs drive just as poorly as the Thais.

 

 

1 hour ago, JoePai said:

only if safe to proceed

It should be made safe to proceed, as others are obligated to give way for an emergency vehicle.

1 minute ago, In Full Agreement said:

 

 

A lot of falangs drive just as poorly as the Thais.

 

 

Very true!

2 hours ago, Skipalongcassidy said:

In most countries flashing lights and sirens DO give emergency vehicles the right of way

not strictly true, it is only allowed in an extreme emergency and only allowed when it is safe to do so, you cannot just go through a red light unless you are absolutely sure it is safe

2 hours ago, JoePai said:

only if safe to proceed

I couldn't find that restriction in any case law... would you please show your sources.

4 hours ago, Skipalongcassidy said:

In most countries flashing lights and sirens DO give emergency vehicles the right of way

 

In most countries the ambulance has a signal that will cause the lights to go red on the other sides to avoid accidents like this.

 

Here, obviously not, the other vehicle had the green light and therefore right of way.

 

Obviously, it's hard for them to know where the siren is coming from, not that would even matter to most drivers here.

3 hours ago, In Full Agreement said:

 

 

A lot of falangs drive just as poorly as the Thais.

 

 

What's that got to do with the price of eggs? I don't think the ambulance driver was a farang 

5 hours ago, Skipalongcassidy said:

In most countries flashing lights and sirens DO give emergency vehicles the right of way

I was surprised by that comment….emergency vehicles do have the right of way 

Firstly most, if not all western countries, have driver training for emergency service drivers. An advanced driver training course. In UK, and I would imagine other countries, on approaching red traffic lights, you slow down and approach with caution and proceed if safe to do so. If approaching the road is blocked and unable to proceed then turn off the siren and wait until able to proceed. You do not approach at foot down speed and hope all other traffic stops as seems to be the case here!!

Driver training is desperately needed in Thailand!! We can but dream.

4 minutes ago, cardinalblue said:

I was surprised by that comment….emergency vehicles do have the right of way 

Only if it is safe to proceed!! 

5 hours ago, Skipalongcassidy said:

In most countries flashing lights and sirens DO give emergency vehicles the right of way

 

And the drivers there proceed with extreme caution through a red light. The only time you see someone driving with extreme caution in Thailand, going at 30kph, is because they don't know how to drive and have no licence, or are drunk, or both.

Edited November 7, 20232 yr by Bangkok Barry

I saw this on Thai TV news. Over and over, Thai style. I have to say I think the ambulance driver was probably at fault. He does a right in front of the oncoming pickup, which he couldn't see. The pickup driver really had no chance. Tragic. So many innocent victims. But the other vehicles travelling in the same direction as the pickup had stopped at the lights. Maybe to turn right. Maybe there was a red turning right light. Anyway, I think if you see cars waiting at a traffic lights on a green light... What's your reaction? Always approach traffic lights, in fact ANY intersection here, with caution. You never know what hell is about to break loose.

Yep.

 

"proceed with extreme caution through a red light"

 

And in LOS,

proceed with extreme caution through a green light too!

 

 

5 hours ago, Skipalongcassidy said:

In most countries flashing lights and sirens DO give emergency vehicles the right of way

And that is the normal way, and not as in LOS.

They never thinking maybe soon or late it could well be that they will get into it themselves.

17 minutes ago, worrab said:

Only if it is safe to proceed!! 

Aussie rules

What are the road rules around emergency vehicles in Australia? - Drive

7 hours ago, webfact said:

quickly got those stuck in the ambulance out and rushed all four to the hospital.

 

In an ambulance?

23 minutes ago, still kicking said:

Aussie rules

What are the road rules around emergency vehicles in Australia? - Drive

Well that really is a mish mash depending which State you are in. 
UK is much simpler. You are not allowed to cross the line on a red traffic light in order to let an emergency vehicle through. End of! You must wait until a proceed aspect is showing. That is why emergency vehicles shut off the siren at red lights. But an emergency vehicle can go into the opposite lane to get around the red light but only if it is safe to do so.

5 hours ago, Gottfrid said:

Yes, it does in most countries! That´s kind of why they have flashing lights and sirens, for other motorists and pedestrians to give way for them. Also, can find a lot in the name emergency vehicle.

Give way.... not the right of way.

There is a subtle difference.

Wonder if he was rushing because it was an emergency, or because the first ambulance to the scene gets the business?

 

Kinda like tow truck drivers back home.  They'll run your butt right off the road to get to the scene first.

 

2 hours ago, worrab said:

Firstly most, if not all western countries, have driver training for emergency service drivers. An advanced driver training course. In UK, and I would imagine other countries, on approaching red traffic lights, you slow down and approach with caution and proceed if safe to do so. If approaching the road is blocked and unable to proceed then turn off the siren and wait until able to proceed. You do not approach at foot down speed and hope all other traffic stops as seems to be the case here!!

Driver training is desperately needed in Thailand!! We can but dream.

Spot on worrab, being a fire service DVR I can agree , this is totally correct.

8 hours ago, Skipalongcassidy said:

In most countries flashing lights and sirens DO give emergency vehicles the right of way

No, on red light they cannot......

6 hours ago, Skipalongcassidy said:

I couldn't find that restriction in any case law... would you please show your sources.

Emergency vehicles travelling under ‘blues and twos’ (blue lights and sirens) are exempt from the usual requirements to stop at a red traffic light, to travel within the speed limit and to overtake on the wrong side of a keep left bollard.

However this is not a ‘get out of jail free card’. The driver must be able to show that obeying the normal rules would likely hinder the response to the emergency and they must still exercise a great deal of skill and care, particularly when performing manoeuvres which would not be permitted for normal road users.

 

https://www.furleypage.co.uk/road-traffic-accidents-involving-emergency-response-vehicles/

 

 If a police car goes through a red light and hits another car, its driver doesn't have any special rights or privileges when it comes to liability. They can be held to account just like any other driver causing an accident.

2 hours ago, Black arab said:

Spot on worrab, being a fire service DVR I can agree , this is totally correct.

Many thanks and there are those who still seem to think the Emergency Vehicle has absolute priority no matter what!!