Ambulance Response Times and Traffic Challenges
The effectiveness of emergency medical interventions largely depends on time. Urban areas, particularly in cities like Bengaluru, Mumbai, and Delhi, face significant delays due to traffic congestion, impacting ambulance response times.
Statistics and Current Situation
- The average ambulance response time in Indian cities ranges from 25 to 30 minutes.
- In Delhi, response times have increased from 13 minutes in 2014 to over 17 minutes.
- A 2021 report indicated that nearly 90,000 crash victims in Karnataka did not receive timely care due to delays.
- The Golden Hour, the first 60 minutes after trauma, is crucial but often lost in traffic.
Technological Interventions
- GPS-based Tracking: Enables dynamic route optimization and live tracking, leading to reduced response times by 12–15% in cities like Chennai and Kolkata.
- Traffic Signal Pre-emption: Systems that allow ambulances to trigger green lights, although limited in application in India.
- Bike Ambulances: In congested areas, they provide quicker response times, as seen in Karnataka's Platinum Ten Minutes initiative.
Challenges and Barriers
- Infrastructure: Fewer than 20% of urban traffic signals can support modern systems.
- Technology Gaps: Issues like GPS signal loss and device malfunctions.
- Public Apathy: 62% of ambulance drivers report motorists not yielding way.
Recommendations for Improvement
- Implement GPS and digital dispatch systems for all emergency vehicles.
- Integrate signal pre-emption technology through the Smart Cities Mission.
- Promote public awareness and enforce laws related to ambulance right of way.
- Establish trauma stabilisation units at high-traffic areas.
Ultimately, addressing these challenges requires a combination of technology, improved infrastructure, and civic responsibility to ensure that the Golden Hour is not lost, potentially saving countless lives.