I must say when it comes to the law and rules, Singaporeans follow them to the "t". Just the other day I saw a fire engine racing to it's destination but it was caught up in traffic along busy Orchard Road and the traffic lights were not helping. Some drivers tried to give way but most didn't seem to bother. I noticed that when it came to a standstill the fire engine was not blaring its siren but did so only when on the move - strange I thought.
This morning, I witnessed an ambulance caught in early morning traffic along Thomson Road heading to Tan Tock Seng Hospital; just 1-2 minutes away on a good run. Again motorists seemed nonchalant about giving way and the driver of the ambulance even halted for the traffic lights to change at one junction which easily took up about a minute.
So, what exactly is an emergency? Does saving lives and property not fall within the definition. As far as I know, in an emergency every second counts. Do vehicles like ambulances and fire engines have to comply with standard traffic rules? What in the world are the sirens and flashing lights for then? Do the police similarly have to obey traffic rules if on a chase or responding to an emergency?
I've been to many different countries and I think Singapore is quite possibly the only place I have seen such mindless obedience to the law.
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