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Monday, May 19, 2008

Ambulance - It's A Courtesy And Required By Law To Pull Over

I'll just add one more thing to yesterdays ambulance comment. It seems a lot of average drivers do not know how to pull over for an emergency vehicle. Many years ago I drove one of those units for about eleven months doing numerous emergency highway trips.

Here are some tips for pulling over for an emergency vehicle, especially ambulances:

Don't jam on the brakes and try to pull over. The ambulance is a heavy vehicle with a lot of momentum, plus the driver has a precious cargo on board, the patient and those working to assist the patient. The ambulance driver has to be smooth. He/she doesn't need to brake quickly and then try to get that massive vehicle up to speed again.
Watch your mirrors frequently for approaching emergency vehicles, especially if you have the stereo blaring, or the famous bluetooth stuck to your head. When you see one, choose your spot to pull over early, use your turn signal to let the driver know you are pulling over for them. This also lets the ambulance driver know you are aware of them.
Ambulance drivers are supposed to be experts, but remember in a true emergency the adrenalin is running pretty high. That driver has to deal with a heavy vehicle at high speed, often a radio conversation, plus if attendants or doctors are treating the patient on the move, the driver is dealing with a shifting load.
The emergency lights are requesting the right of way, it does not give it to them, but by law other drivers are obligated to give way. If the trip is at night in fog, rain or snowy conditions, the flashing lights reflect back and make it very hard on the eyes of the ambulance driver.

I have driven ambulances, and also have ridden in the back of one. Despite the luxury looks, it can be a rough ride at best, so it's appreciated if you make the ride a little easier.

If it was your family member, I am sure you would want them to have the most comfortable ride possible, fast, and most of all safe. The next time you see those flashing lights, you can help.

-=One Day At A Time=-