You need to pull over for an Ambulance

[Pardus]

An ambulance was coming down the highway with lights and sirens on, i saw it about 1/2 mile behind me, pulled over to the shoulder in plenty of time so it could pass. others did not and the ambulance driver had to veer around to get past these morons.

About 30 seconds later, two cop cars came out of nowhere and nabbed two people who didn't pull over.

Not sure if the ambulance driver called it in or the cops were just hiding out, either way, it was funny to justice served.

 

[Ferzerp]

I watched a semi block a neonatal ambulance for about 4 or 5 minutes on the freeway earlier this year. I was so baffled that I didn't even record the info. That driver had no business driving after that.

 

[JulesMaximus]

When I used to commute to work by bicycle I'd come up through this area where traffic would back up for 1/4-1/2 mile. Cops sometimes (rarely) would sit up near the intersection and watch the bike lane for people cutting down it in their cars to get past traffic and make a right. I freaking LOVED when I was riding through there and saw them flagging people down and giving them tickets.

 

[AMCRambler]

My favorite is when I see an ambulance approaching the intersection coming in the opposite direction. So I stop. You know in case they have to turn and cross the intersection? Always some ass hat behind me honking at me for not going because the light is green. Sometimes I just want to get out of the car bang on their window and say "Are you fucking kidding me?!?" as I point at the ambulance. However I know that if they are stupid enough to be honking then they wouldn't understand it even if I explained it to them like they were in kindergarten.

 

[phucheneh]

I experience the opposite problems. People pulling over for an ambulance on the other side of a highway with a concrete divider in the middle, for instance.

And problems generally related to retarded EMS drivers. I've moved over for them on the interstate before, only to catch up and end up tailing them while they do the speed limit in the left lane.

Or idiot firemen who blast a horn in my ear because I travel an extra ten feet to actually get out of the way instead of just stopping in the road and blocking them.

At the least the cops actually go fast when their sirens are on. Of course, they're also probably just making a lunch run or something.

 

[Naeeldar]

I experience the opposite problems. People pulling over for an ambulance on the other side of a highway with a concrete divider in the middle, for instance.

And problems generally related to retarded EMS drivers. I've moved over for them on the interstate before, only to catch up and end up tailing them while they do the speed limit in the left lane.

Or idiot firemen who blast a horn in my ear because I travel an extra ten feet to actually get out of the way instead of just stopping in the road and blocking them.

At the least the cops actually go fast when their sirens are on. Of course, they're also probably just making a lunch run or something.

EMS can't always drive to fast with a patient in back.


As to the OP. I had one awihle back where I pulled over and the idiot in a truck behind me beeped like crazy and then started to go around me and the ambulance almost hit him. When the ambulance got by I actually did something a bit stupid but sped up in a one lane road got next to him giving him the finger. The ignornace of some people drive me insane. especially a situation like that because for the previous half mile he couldn't keep up with how fast I drive.

 

[soccerballtux]

I experience the opposite problems. People pulling over for an ambulance on the other side of a highway with a concrete divider in the middle, for instance.

And problems generally related to retarded EMS drivers. I've moved over for them on the interstate before, only to catch up and end up tailing them while they do the speed limit in the left lane.

Or idiot firemen who blast a horn in my ear because I travel an extra ten feet to actually get out of the way instead of just stopping in the road and blocking them.

At the least the cops actually go fast when their sirens are on. Of course, they're also probably just making a lunch run or something.

lol +1

 

[twinrider1]

...People pulling over for an ambulance on the other side of a highway with a concrete divider in the middle, for instance....

Along those lines....a school bus stops to pick up kids, going east on Main St, a 5 lane road. Westbound traffic stops. People, they don't set up bus stops so kids have to cross big roads. It's the law.

 

[slag]

Along those lines....a school bus stops to pick up kids, going east on Main St, a 5 lane road. Westbound traffic stops. People, they don't set up bus stops so kids have to cross big roads. It's the law.

On divided highways, most American and Canadian jurisdictions do not require vehicular drivers to stop when on the opposite side of the road from a stopped school bus. Those that do require vehicles to stop are:

• West Virginia upon a non-controlled-access highway[citation needed]
• Arkansas in case a divider has less than 20 feet (6 m) in width (narrow divider).[2]
• New York State[3]
• American Samoa[citation needed]
• Guam[citation needed]
• British Columbia[4]
• Nova Scotia[citation needed]
• Prince Edward Island[citation needed]
• Northwest Territories[citation needed]
• Nunavut[citation needed]

 

[LTC8K6]

In NC it has to be 4 lanes or more, with a center turn lane or median/divider. Only then do you not have to stop in the opposing lanes for a school bus.

As for amberlamps:

All vehicles, regardless of direction of travel, must yield right of way
to an approaching emergency vehicle. This does not apply to vehicles
traveling in the opposite direction of the emergency vehicle(s) when
traveling on a four-lane limited-access highway with a center median.

 

[olds]

In NC it has to be 4 lanes or more, with a center turn lane or median/divider. Only then do you not have to stop in the opposing lanes for a school bus.

As for amberlamps:

All vehicles, regardless of direction of travel, must yield right of way
to an approaching emergency vehicle. This does not apply to vehicles
traveling in the opposite direction of the emergency vehicle(s) when
traveling on a four-lane limited-access highway with a center median.

In CA it's two or more lanes in each direction, no center lane/divider needed.

 

[olds]

I experience the opposite problems. People pulling over for an ambulance on the other side of a highway with a concrete divider in the middle, for instance....

What state are you in?

 

[Topweasel]

Along those lines....a school bus stops to pick up kids, going east on Main St, a 5 lane road. Westbound traffic stops. People, they don't set up bus stops so kids have to cross big roads. It's the law.

I know you what you are saying and for the most part you are right and would recommend people using their best judgement. But that said kids can be kids and you don't know when and how they might end up in middle of the road. I have no problem with people being overly cautious when it comes to kids, as long as its voluntary.

 

[Squisher]

In Michigan it could be a 9 lane road, you still have to stop if the bus stops with its lights flashing on the opposite side unless the road is divided by a concrete barrier or grass median or buildings of some kind.

 

[twinrider1]

I know you what you are saying and for the most part you are right and would recommend people using their best judgement. But that said kids can be kids and you don't know when and how they might end up in middle of the road. I have no problem with people being overly cautious when it comes to kids, as long as its voluntary.

Yep, I don't get too worked up over it. It's one stop, for a trailer park, no other residential around. Somehow, my dumb luck puts me right there 2-3 times per week. It only really festers when a kid is running late and the bus has to sit there.
Just one of those things, like drivers not knowing to treat a nonworking traffic light like a four-way stop. Shake my head, give them a look of haughty derision, and go on my way.

 

[fbrdphreak]

An ambulance was coming down the highway with lights and sirens on, i saw it about 1/2 mile behind me, pulled over to the shoulder in plenty of time so it could pass. others did not and the ambulance driver had to veer around to get past these morons.

About 30 seconds later, two cop cars came out of nowhere and nabbed two people who didn't pull over.

Not sure if the ambulance driver called it in or the cops were just hiding out, either way, it was funny to justice served.

Thanks for the PSA.

A few points based on yours and other posts:

1) We are not ambulance drivers. This is actually kind of offensive to some. Every person on the ambulance is a certified EMT of some level, no one is just a driver. Common mistake, learn yerself: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Emergency_medical_technician#Certification

2) No reason they couldn't get on the radio and ask dispatch to send PD their way. It's only really feasible in a small or mid-size town, but certainly probable.

3) Lights and sirens do not remove the speed limit. We have to drive with due regard to the public. Some agencies also monitor their unit's speeds, so if you "caught" up with them that's probably not their fault. L&S don't save much time anyway.

4) "Idiot Firemen" use air horns and such anytime they're concerned vehicles around them may not be aware of their presence and always when approaching and going through an intersection. It's, you know, safe.

 

[tenpole]

Most car drivers are only concerned and aware of the 20 yards in front of them.

 

[skyking]

Most car drivers are only concerned and aware of the 20 yards in front of them.

That's the truth. Most are so unaware of anything behind them. They never look in the mirror. When people complain about somebody hogging the left lane, this is the case most often. They are just not looking.
I've spent so much time in rigs without a back window, I just about split my attention between front/rear.

 

[A5]

One problem is that most people can't hear the sirens, due to NVH insulation and the radio.

There should probably be warning systems for approaching EVs (and there are dozens and dozens of patents for such systems), but no one seems to want to do it.

 

[fbrdphreak]

One problem is that most people can't hear the sirens, due to NVH insulation and the radio.

There should probably be warning systems for approaching EVs (and there are dozens and dozens of patents for such systems), but no one seems to want to do it.

You can hear a good air horn just about anywhere. There are systems in place that go beyond just lights & sirens. Some areas can remotely change intersection lights, some units broadcast with a high powered FM transmitter that intrudes on a car's radio system, and still others use massive low frequency emitters to vibrate the vehicles so people notice the EV.

 

[JimKiler]

One time on a divided highway a cop with lights and sirens on was going the opposite way but turning and I stopped before his turn. I was unsure if he would stop or not. The car behind me cut me off as he passed and got back into my lane. My bro in law who is a cop said i didn't need to stop but since i was unsure if the cop would stop and with his lights on i assumed he had right of way i pulled over. I irked the guy behind me since he lost 30 seconds of his life letting a cop get to an emergency.

 

[Brovane]

I pull over in CA on a divided highway because sometimes if necessary when traffic is backed up the emergency vehicle might jump the median and travel in the opposite side of the highway. If people want to continue on they can but I pull over. It is only a minor incovenience. However I don't slam on my breaks I just pull over to the my right and do not cut anyone off. Sometimes people are idiots and do not get over to the right safely.

My brother in law was a supervisor for a ambulance company. Basically they had trackers in the vehicle and it would start beeping if you went 15mph over the posted speed limit and reported back to management. So you could exceed the posted limit with lights on but only up to 15 over.

 

[olds]

I pull over in CA on a divided highway because it's the law. Though no one knows it.

FTFM