THERE are four choices. In a crossroad, which vehicle has the priority to pass in an emergency — a fire truck, an ambulance, a presidential convoy or a police car? The answer, according to AutoIndustria.com, is best determined by who has the right-of-way. Literally, it means the vehicle on the right of the road must go first, regardless of who arrived first at the intersection.

Republic Act 4136, otherwise known as “the Land Transportation and Traffic Code,” states: “The driver on the left shall yield the right of way to the vehicle on the right.” It’s important to know this, among other things, as they’re part of the Land Transportation Office (LTO) online exam that must be hurdled prior to renewing a driver’s license.

Other related questions include the “first-time vehicle rule” that requires everyone to stop in an intersection, even in the absence of “stop” or “yield” signs. On the side of caution, it’s advisable not to flex your muscles to claim you have the right of way when other drivers are not following the rules. It’s always logical and safe to give “them the right-of-way even if it belongs to you to prevent possible accidents.”

The LTO made it clear that all motorists must “yield the rightof-way to police cars, fire trucks, ambulances and other emergency vehicle which are sounding a siren or bell or flashing a red light by pulling to the edge of the roadway.” That’s the rule, and no one could question that unless you feel very strongly that it has become unfair to all road users.

But what does “other emergency vehicle” mean? Does it include a presidential convoy? It’s not clear. But the acting chairman of Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) Romando Artes says it is normal for them to “give courtesy” to very important persons, including government high-ranking officials, using public roads.

“We extend courtesy, especially to the President and vice president, because they have security concerns.”

Artes made the statement in response to the latest viral video on social media that blocked major thoroughfares along Commonwealth Avenue, allegedly caused by the passing of a convoy of Vice President Sara Duterte.

Logical priority

Assuming we don’t know anything about the law and MMDA’s courtesy to government officials, then how could we justify the logic behind the right-of-way of emergency vehicles, including a presidential convoy? One important factor is the number of people adversely affected by an emergency or the number of prospective victims.

If we follow that logic, then the fire truck must be given the first priority over all other emergency vehicles. Emergencies caused by fire can kill or injure many people and destroy properties in no time at all.

Next in line is the ambulance that carries a dying person who needs to be treated quickly at a hospital. It is second behind a fire truck, as a typical ambulance could carry only one patient at a time.

Third in line on the right-of-way is the police car. That’s assuming we have a competent police force that can track down and catch criminals even if they’re long gone from the crime scene. The exception is when dealing with a terrorist group that could cause serious trouble.

Last in line is the presidential vehicle. An incumbent president of any country is given courtesy because of the nature of their job and for security concerns. A dead or injured president could mean an emergency, but not for long because of a waiting vice president. But what if a vice president arrogates that her convoy is enough reason to stop all traffic?

Conversely, why can’t these high-ranking officials copy the practice of then president Benigno Aquino 3rd, who led by example with his no “wang-wang” (red light and blinker) policy? During Noynoy’s time, the Presidential Security Group (PSG) assigned one or two of its operatives to MMDA’s traffic control room. This allowed the PSG to give the presidential convoy a green light in every intersection without having to inconvenience the general public.

Another presidential model is Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim of Malaysia, who allowed an ambulance to join the presidential convoy during rush hour traffic in December 2022.

The choice is clear between good and bad governance. There’s no ambiguity. The security concerns of the President or even the vice president can be solved without inconveniencing the people. There’s always a better way of doing things, even in government service.