Cops propose system to make roads ‘signal free’ for ambulances

Ambulances equipped with Global Positioning Systems will not have to wait for policemen to manually clear the roads if a proposal to enable automatic clearance of traffic signals for ambulances by tracking their GPS is approved by the state home ministry. The Bangalore traffic police have proposed an Emergency Vehicle Preemption System (EVPS) to enable ambulances with critical patients to move on the roads with little or no hindrance from traffic signals. The proposed project is to be implemented across Bangalore with the help of the health department.

The police are hoping that the new initiative will help save lives by reducing the time critically ill or injured patients,including heart attack and stroke patients,have to spend in ambulances while being ferried to hospitals. The system is intended to increase the scope for professional medical intervention in the golden hour period that is critical to saving the life of a patient. The city police have prepared a proposal for implementation of the system in the city after conducting a pilot study,the Additional Commissioner of Police (Traffic and Safety) B Dayanand said.