Car driver blocks path of fire truck, “escorts” it forward
Whenever sirens ring while we’re on the road, it’s a given for drivers to clear the way for fire trucks or ambulances in emergency situations to pass through unhindered – even if it means squeezing into the next lane that’s already filled with cars.
But there are always the few who are unaware of these situations, such as the driver of a car in Johor which went viral for blocking the path of a fire truck that had its sirens turned on. Not the end of the tale, the driver proceeded to become an unofficial “escort” of the fire truck – by turning on its hazard lights and attempting to stop traffic at an intersection with their hand.
Car blocks fire truck, even “helping” direct traffic for it
A video of the fire truck blocked by a Wira car was shared on several social media platforms, including Facebook and Reddit. It was originally shared on TikTok by user @wawan0405, a firefighter who posted the video along with a caption that can be translated from Malay to English as, “Please cooperate when you hear emergency sirens, and do not follow this driver’s example. Thank you.”
The TikTok video, which is over a minute long, is filmed from a fire truck as sirens can be heard emanating from the vehicle. As sirens usually indicate an emergency situation, cars in the video can be seen trying to clear a route for the fire truck to make its way through by swerving aside.
Video credit: @wawan0405
However, a Wira car decided to cut into the empty route ahead of the fire truck instead of getting out of the way.
With no other way out, the fire truck was left to follow behind the Wira car that was blocking its way in the lane that had been cleared for it to pass through.
Video credit: @wawan0405
Despite repeated honks from the fire truck, the Wira still refused to budge out of the way. When the 2 vehicles reach an intersection, the driver behind the Wira car proceeded to wind down its window and lift their hand to signal for oncoming traffic to stop for the fire truck.
Video credit: @wawan0405
However, as no cars stopped for the Wira, the driver’s seemingly helpful attempts only become bothersome for the fire truck and bomba personnel within, who continued to sound the truck’s horns and siren for the Wira to move out of the way.
Image adapted from: @wawan0405
That wasn’t the end of the story yet. After the fire truck managed to make a turn at the intersection, the driver behind the Wira car could be seen on video turning on its hazard lights as if to escort the fire truck. It was filmed once again cruising down the lane cleared by cars for the fire truck, blocking the fire truck, before it finally moved out of the fire truck’s path when the traffic lessened at a turn.
Netizens aggravated over car getting in fire truck’s way
The video shared by @wawan0405 on TikTok had many netizens coming out to share their frustrations with the car that had blocked the fire truck’s path. One netizen commented on the TikTok video, “Obviously the car is not being helpful, but taking advantage [of the situation]. He could have just went left and gave way [for the fire truck]”.
Image adapted from: TikTok
Another user also came out to comment, “If I hear sirens, I would look out for the source and give way” – as is common courtesy that should be exhibited by all road users while on the road.
Image adapted from: TikTok
Car blocks fire truck & proceeds to act as unofficial escort
It’s always important for road users to stay alert while on the road. This includes being aware of emergency situations that involve fire trucks or ambulances, which need to reach their destinations to save lives with the help of public cooperation.
So this video reminds us to be courteous to them while on the road, whether by stopping our vehicles or clearing the way for them to travel unhindered to their destinations.
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Cover image adapted from: @wawan0405
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