An ambulance stopped by police in a nine-mile incident was not responding to an emergency but was carrying the driver’s relative, police say. Commissioner Rusiate Tudravu has issued a warning to emergency drivers about abusing emergency privileges.
The February 19 incident occurred around 7:50 am at the Adi Davila–Kings Road junction in Nine Miles when a traffic officer observed the ambulance approaching without its lights or sirens activated. As the officer raised a hand to stop pedestrians from crossing, the ambulance reportedly turned on its siren and flashing lights in an apparent attempt to push through before being halted. Upon investigation, authorities found there was no medical emergency and no medical personnel on board; the person in the back was the driver’s relative who had been picked up earlier from home.
Tudravu stressed that such misuse is illegal and erodes public trust in emergency services. He warned emergency drivers who use their vehicles to bypass traffic that police officers have the power to stop any vehicle, including those rushing because of emergencies. He also indicated that police would continue spot checks on all vehicles, including ambulances, to safeguard road safety.
Police have noted that this incident was reportedly the second time the same ambulance had been used to misuse its siren and lights. The episode has rekindled discussions about accountability and proper conduct within Fiji’s emergency services and the oversight of policing. Officials say abuses can delay genuine medical responses and undermine patient care, while eroding public trust in the system. Readers can expect continued scrutiny and updates as investigations progress, along with calls for clearer protocols governing police-ambulance interactions.
What readers should take away:
– Ambulance crews must adhere to established emergency protocols and avoid using sirens and lights to bypass traffic when there is no emergency.
– Police will continue routine checks to ensure road safety for all users.
– Authorities are emphasizing accountability and transparency to restore public confidence in emergency services.
Upcoming actions:
Police say spot checks will persist and that lessons from this incident are expected to inform training and enforcement measures for emergency responders to prevent future abuses.
Overall, the incident underscores the shared responsibility of emergency services and road users in ensuring prompt, safe responses to medical needs while reinforcing accountability to maintain public confidence in Fiji’s road safety and emergency-response system.
Summary in Fijian
Veikauwaitaki ena Vosa Vakaviti
Na dua na ambulance e curuma tiko vei ira na polisia, e sega ni caka vakayalo ena veiqaravi ni mate, ka e tauyacana tiko ga na nona veitokoni na driva ena nona itokani. O ni komisiona o Rusiate Tudravu a vakaraitaka na nomu vakamatei na veiqaravi vakaleqa ni ambulance. E tukuna ko ni sa vakamatatataki ni rawa ni qai curuma na ambulance me vakalewale qai vakataki au, ia e vakadeitaka me vukea na vanua ko Nine Miles. Sa vakadewataki talega ni sa dua tale na gauna oqo e taleitaki kina na ambulance me vakayagataka na siren kei na light me vakatakoroga kina na traffic, ena sega ni tiko tiko e dua na veiqarau ni veika vakalewa. E tukuna ni na vakadraulia na veika kece me baleta na ivakamacala ni veika oqo. E kaya talega ni na tiko na veitokani ki na veika vakalewale me baleti vuravura ni lawa ni veivakadonui ni veika vata.
Note: This Fijian summary provides a concise recap of the main points in the article for readers who prefer a local-language takeaway.
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