Ambulance busted for using siren

A traffic officer’s quick thinking at a busy junction near Nausori exposed an unusual misuse of emergency services.

Commissioner of Police Rusiate Tudravu has issued a warning about the abuse of sirens and flashing lights.

The incident occurred on the morning of February 19, 2025 at around 7.50am at the junction of Adi Davila and Kings Road, near nine miles.

A constable was directing traffic to allow students to cross when an ambulance, previously moving normally, suddenly activated its siren and emergency lights in an apparent attempt to bypass the queue.

Suspicious of the timing, the officer stopped the vehicle. What he discovered was far from an emergency: the ambulance was not responding to any medical call, and there were no medical personnel on board.

Instead, the person lying in the back was the driver’s relative who was picked up from home earlier that morning.

This was the second time the same ambulance has been booked for misusing its emergency signals without a valid reason.

Mr Tudarvu confirmed the details in a statement released following the sharing of the viral video spread of the incident on Facebook.

He said emergency vehicles are not exempt from traffic laws unless they are responding to genuine emergencies.

“This incident should serve as a warning to all emergency drivers who misuse sirens and flashing lights to avoid traffic.

“Police officers have the authority to stop any vehicle, including those claiming to be on emergency runs.”

Authorities have pledged to continue spot checks and enforce road safety regulations to ensure that emergency protocols are respected and that all road users are treated fairly.