Senate President Pro Tempore Panfilo Lacson on Friday urged authorities to step up random inspections of ambulances suspected of responding to “fake emergency” cases, particularly during rush hour.
“More random checks on siren-blaring ‘ambulances’ especially during rush hours should be conducted,” Lacson said, stressing that drivers misusing emergency privileges must face consequences.
“Drivers of vehicles with no emergency patients must be apprehended, their licenses revoked and charged, if warranted. Aside from (being) annoying, they can be traffic hazards.”
His remarks came after authorities intercepted a supposed emergency vehicle along the EDSA Busway in Santolan, which was later found to be operating as a passenger van.
While a traffic citation was issued, the vehicle was not impounded because it was not classified as colorum and had no passengers onboard at the time.
Lacson emphasized that tighter enforcement would help curb abuse of emergency privileges and improve road safety on major thoroughfares.
“Conducting additional checks could end the potential for abuse by violators as no one wants a head-on collision,” he added.