Dubai emergency services to blast warning through motorists' radios to clear traffic

Police and paramedics will transmit messages to clear the way for emergency vehicles

Motorists in Dubai will now receive a warning message on their car radio to alert them of oncoming emergency vehicles. Amy Leang / The National

Motorists in Dubai will now receive a warning message on their car radio to alert them of oncoming emergency vehicles.

The transmitter, which is intended to help emergency responders cut through traffic quickly and safely, will be fitted across a number of Dubai ambulance vehicles.

It works by sending a spoken message that interrupts car radios to alert drivers ahead that an ambulance or other emergency vehicle is approaching.

Dubai Police shared a demonstration video of the new alert system on their Twitter page and urged motorists to comply with the automated request.

“'Attention! Emergency vehicle approaching! Kindly give way’. A warning message you might hear on the radio if you block the way for an emergency vehicle,” the tweet read.

Although most drivers react quickly to sirens, others cause delays and accidents by responding too slowly, or by driving dangerously once they realise they are causing an obstruction.

This new announcement is part of the authority’s Give Way, Give Hope campaign, which aims to get emergency responders to patients faster.

A similar system was introduced by Sharjah Police in June.

So far this year, more than 121 drivers were fined for blocking emergency vehicles on Dubai's roads. Last year, 166 offences were recorded in 12 months.

Officers have long warned residents that lives could be lost if motorists ignore ambulances rushing to or from medical emergency calls, including accident scenes.

The fine for not giving way to emergency and convoy vehicles is Dh3,000 with six black points as well as the vehicle being impounded for 30 days.