Viral: Motorist Blocks Ambulance, Here Are the Rules Prioritising Ambulances on the Road

A motorcyclist with the initials ML has been designated as a suspect after obstructing an ambulance in Sukmajaya, Depok. Is there a regulation stipulating that ambulances must be prioritised on the road? The answer is yes. The rules regarding ambulances are outlined in Law No. 22 of 2009 on Road Traffic and Transportation. Specifically, in Article 134, part eight, which explains the Primary Rights of Road Users for Smooth Flow. The text of Article 134 reads: Road users who obtain primary rights to be prioritised according to the following order; a. Firefighting vehicles carrying out duties; b. Ambulances transporting sick persons; c. Vehicles providing assistance in road accidents; d. Vehicles for leaders of the Republic of Indonesia State Institutions; e. Vehicles for foreign state leaders and officials as well as international institutions that are state guests; f. Funeral processions; and g. Convoys and/or vehicles for certain interests according to the consideration of Indonesian National Police officers. Then, Article 135 explains that priority vehicles must be escorted by Indonesian National Police officers and/or use red or blue light signals as well as sirens. Thus, other road users are obliged to give way. The text of Article 135 is as follows: (1) Vehicles that obtain primary rights as referred to in Article 134 must be escorted by Indonesian National Police officers and/or use red or blue light signals and siren sounds. (2) Indonesian National Police officers provide security if they know of the existence of road users as referred to in paragraph (1). (3) Traffic signalling devices and traffic signs do not apply to vehicles that obtain primary rights as referred to in Article 134. Motorcyclist Becomes Suspect Known to have been secured by police after his action of obstructing the ambulance in Sukmajaya went viral on social media, ML has even been designated as a suspect. “Yes, he has (become a suspect),” said the Head of Public Relations of Metro Depok Police Resort, AKP Made Budi, when contacted by detikcom on Monday (11/5). Made revealed that ML obstructed the ambulance because he was unhappy that the ambulance was asking for way. After being arrested by the police, ML admitted to regretting and apologising. “Yes, he felt unhappy that the ambulance was asking for the way. Yes, he regrets it and apologises,” he added. For his actions, ML is charged under Law No. 1 of 2023 on the Criminal Code in Article 521 of UU 1/2023 with a maximum penalty of 2 years imprisonment. Viral Incident In the viral video recording, the motorist is seen being stubborn and emotional. A scuffle between the motorist and the ambulance crew occurred. The motorist also kicked the ambulance at one point. He also threatened the video recorder. “You record me, you’ll get it,” he said. detikcom then contacted the AlBaari Foundation and the foundation has allowed detikcom to quote statements from its Instagram account. According to the AlBaari Foundation, initially volunteers were about to pick up a patient and pass through a narrow residential road. The volunteers at that time only turned on the jumper lights without the siren to avoid disturbing nearby residents. “However, there was a man who was unhappy and scolded our team. We had explained that we were heading to pick up a patient, even inviting him to join to see for himself,” stated the AlBaari Foundation via its Instagram account @albaarifoundation. The situation heated up again when midway through the journey, the motorist cut off the ambulance. The motorist also obstructed the ambulance and is suspected of making threats and damage.