A video showing a truck driver blocking an ambulance transporting a patient with a cerebral hemorrhage has been released, sparking public outrage online.
On the 8th, the YouTube channel 'Han Moon-cheol TV,' operated by traffic accident specialist lawyer Han Moon-cheol, uploaded dashcam footage from an ambulance transporting a patient on a road in Hwaseong-si, Gyeonggi Province, around 7 p.m. on the 18th of last month.
At the time, the ambulance was transporting a patient with a cerebral hemorrhage, making every second critical.
On a road consisting of two lanes and a shoulder, when the ambulance's emergency lights flashed and the siren sounded, the cars ahead moved aside to the left and right to make way. [Photo by YouTube channel 'Han Moon-cheol TV']
On a road with two lanes and a shoulder, when the ambulance’s flashing lights and siren were heard, the cars ahead moved aside to the left and right to clear the way. Thanks to the cars showing a 'Miracle of the Red Sea,' the ambulance was able to move forward smoothly.
Shortly after, a truck blocked the ambulance instead of giving way. Although the truck driving in the second lane could have moved to the right, it did not make space for the ambulance.
The ambulance honked and warned, "Please move to the shoulder. Do not block the road, please move to the shoulder. This is a report," but the truck did not budge.
The truck continued to obstruct the ambulance’s path, even driving in the middle of the lane. Eventually, the ambulance had no choice but to narrowly squeeze between the left lane car and the truck driving in the first lane.
Shortly after, a truck blocked the ambulance by not giving way. The truck, which was driving in the second lane, did not make space for the ambulance even though it could have moved to the right. [Photo by YouTube channel 'Han Moon-cheol TV']
The ambulance driver who reported the video asked lawyer Han, "Can I file a complaint for obstruction of business against the truck driver who intentionally blocked the emergency vehicle’s path?" seeking advice.
Lawyer Han explained, "If you do not yield to an ambulance, large vehicles face a fine of 70,000 won and a penalty of 80,000 won. If the driver intentionally refuses to yield, it should not end there. According to the Emergency Medical Service Act, it can be subject to criminal punishment."
Netizens who watched the video reacted with comments such as, "Did he deliberately block the ambulance? I cannot understand the intention," and "He should face legal punishment."
Under current law, obstructing the transport of patients by an ambulance can result in imprisonment for up to five years or a fine of up to 50 million won. This law was revised in June 2020 following an incident where a taxi driver intentionally caused an accident to block an ambulance, resulting in the death of a patient being transported.
© The Asia Business Daily(www.asiae.co.kr). All rights reserved.
