This is actually an old post that I had on my old personal blog. I’ve migrated it here because I’ll be using my old blog for a different project.

Life is too short for traffic.
- Dan Bellack

I was walking down Manila City Hall last night when I noticed an emergency ambulance helplessly stuck in traffic with its sirens wailing continuously. From the sidewalk, I could make out the driver’s worried expression as he gazed into the myriad of cars in front of him. It was obvious that traffic was the last thing the driver wanted.

Even though I couldn’t see what was behind the metal body of the ambulance, I can almost picture what was going on inside. I can see medics doing their best in administering first aid treatment. I can also see a man sitting by the door, crying and praying, and a woman in blood spattered clothes, lying on a stretcher heavily gasping for air, struggling to survive. Amidst all the chaos and panic swirling around inside the ambulance, the outside was surrounded with cars, motionless and as still as the night.

It is known that in the field of medication, every minute counts. This is also true when it comes to the duty of the ambulance team. Every second could spell life or death of the patient aboard it. Seeing as how the traffic stretches out into the distance, the patient is going to need to hold out for a couple more minutes.

I felt sorry for whoever was inside the ambulance. Of all the times he could get stuck in traffic, fate had to choose this very night.

Most emergency ambulances have the authority to pass through red lights, drive down the opposite lane, and are even permitted to break speed limits. It’s all great but once your stuck with traffic here in the Philippines, the word “Emergency” is almost meaningless.

Traffic is nothing new here in the Metro. Laws that were supposed to reduce traffic were already made and enforced, but unfortunately not much has changed. Even with the introduction of the MRT and LRT, the streets remain crowded. Loading and unloading signs are ignored unless there is police presence. People jaywalking everywhere. The lack of discipline of both motorist and pedestrian are to be blamed for the everyday gridlock.

I really wish we could find a solution to this traffic problem soon. I’d hate to see myself stuck in traffic if I’m the one lying inside the ambulance struggling for dear life.

Yep, yet another reason to hate traffic.

(Image courtesy of http://ems.medicedweb.com/)