Firefighting & Rescue Social / Professional Network
Civilian drivers or Confused Idiot's
What is it about civilian drivers. It seems that the minute we get our drivers license's we forget all the rules that keep traffic moving smoothly. Reacently while responding to a MVA( with lights and sieren) I came to a complete stop at an intersection verified that I had control of said intersection and began to proceed. Thank god I was paying attention as a driver dicieded to pass the vehicle to my left. The driver then proceeded to flip me the universal hello as I hit the Airhorn. I think that the OFPC needs to put together a public service anouncment aimed at reminding drivers that when bieng approched either from the front or the rear by an emergencey vehicle that you aree to move to the side and come to a complete STOP.
How often have we all watched a driver pull to the shoulder and slow down but keep on moving. A related incident reacently ocured to one of our paid firefighters while responding to a victim chocking. As he approched the driveway of the residence a driver pulled to the side and proceeded to move blocking the driveway. I just wish the confused idiots behind the wheel would simply obey the laws of the road.
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4 Comments
At 2:03am on October 31st, 2007, RescueEngine4 said…
I know in CT it is state law that upon the notification of an emergency vehicle, whether it be by sirens or lights, you are required to pull to the right and stop. And as we all know that never works.
However sometimes it can be a burden. We run on a limited access highway where we always have MVA's. It is a 2 lane each way "Parkway" and when responding to a call through traffic with no shoulder and no median it becomes tough. We prefer to "Part the sea" having cars in the left lane pull left and the cars in the right lane pull right, this allows the chauffer to know that the drivers have acknowledged the fact an Engine is coming and are yielding and he can proceed right down the center of the roadway. However many times people try to do the "right" thing and pull to the right from the left lane completely screwing up our path of travel. But what can you do. They are doing what they are supposed to do
Now if we could just get Cops to stop parking in front of hydrants at fire scenes I think we might be OKDelete Comment
At 12:24pm on October 31st, 2007, Peter Lupkowski said…
There's a safety video that the RCMP put out a year or two ago that could be used as a public service announcement. If I can find the info I'll get it to you.
In other words it's the same all over brother.Delete Comment
At 7:55pm on November 2nd, 2007, Mary Ellen Shea said…
As I read this, I got to thinking that I can't remember seeing or hearing any kind of public service reminder about pulling over for Fire or Ambulance, at least not in recent history. I was driving with a friend of mine last week and we heard the siren behind us so we moved over to the right lane and then over to the breakdown because the traffic was pretty heavy. The driver behind us threw a fit of epic proportions because we were "in her way" leaning on her horn and swearing like a sailor, completely oblivious to the BA fire truck trying to maneuver around her ---we were near the mall, must have been some important sale going at Macy's. Do you remember when you were a kid sitting in the back seat, and you'd hear the siren and ALL TRAFFIC would immediately clear the road for them? I haven't seen that in a long time.
I think it might be a good topic to discuss with one of our committees, thanksDelete Comment
At 7:14pm on November 3rd, 2007, Jasen Erick said…
Here is the New York State Traffic Law as it reads:
§ 1144. Operation of vehicles on approach of authorized emergency vehicles.
(a) Upon the immediate approach of an authorized emergency vehicle equipped with at least one lighted lamp exhibiting red light visible under normal atmospheric conditions from a distance of five hundred feet to the front of such vehicle other than a police vehicle or bicycle when operated as an authorized emergency vehicle, and when audible signals are sounded from any said vehicle by siren, exhaust whistle, bell, air-horn or electronic equivalent; the driver of every other vehicle shall yield the right of way and shall immediately drive to a position parallel to, and as close as possible to the right-hand edge or curb of the roadway, or to either edge of a one-way roadway three or more lanes in width, clear of any intersection, and shall stop and remain in such position until the authorized emergency vehicle has passed, unless otherwise directed by a police officer.
(b) This section shall not operate to relieve the driver of an authorized emergency vehicle from the duty to drive with reasonable care for all persons using the highway.
That basicly means pull over and STOP.
How often have we all watched a driver pull to the shoulder and slow down but keep on moving. A related incident reacently ocured to one of our paid firefighters while responding to a victim chocking. As he approched the driveway of the residence a driver pulled to the side and proceeded to move blocking the driveway. I just wish the confused idiots behind the wheel would simply obey the laws of the road.
Share
4 Comments
At 2:03am on October 31st, 2007, RescueEngine4 said…
I know in CT it is state law that upon the notification of an emergency vehicle, whether it be by sirens or lights, you are required to pull to the right and stop. And as we all know that never works.
However sometimes it can be a burden. We run on a limited access highway where we always have MVA's. It is a 2 lane each way "Parkway" and when responding to a call through traffic with no shoulder and no median it becomes tough. We prefer to "Part the sea" having cars in the left lane pull left and the cars in the right lane pull right, this allows the chauffer to know that the drivers have acknowledged the fact an Engine is coming and are yielding and he can proceed right down the center of the roadway. However many times people try to do the "right" thing and pull to the right from the left lane completely screwing up our path of travel. But what can you do. They are doing what they are supposed to do
Now if we could just get Cops to stop parking in front of hydrants at fire scenes I think we might be OKDelete Comment
At 12:24pm on October 31st, 2007, Peter Lupkowski said…
There's a safety video that the RCMP put out a year or two ago that could be used as a public service announcement. If I can find the info I'll get it to you.
In other words it's the same all over brother.Delete Comment
At 7:55pm on November 2nd, 2007, Mary Ellen Shea said…
As I read this, I got to thinking that I can't remember seeing or hearing any kind of public service reminder about pulling over for Fire or Ambulance, at least not in recent history. I was driving with a friend of mine last week and we heard the siren behind us so we moved over to the right lane and then over to the breakdown because the traffic was pretty heavy. The driver behind us threw a fit of epic proportions because we were "in her way" leaning on her horn and swearing like a sailor, completely oblivious to the BA fire truck trying to maneuver around her ---we were near the mall, must have been some important sale going at Macy's. Do you remember when you were a kid sitting in the back seat, and you'd hear the siren and ALL TRAFFIC would immediately clear the road for them? I haven't seen that in a long time.
I think it might be a good topic to discuss with one of our committees, thanksDelete Comment
At 7:14pm on November 3rd, 2007, Jasen Erick said…
Here is the New York State Traffic Law as it reads:
§ 1144. Operation of vehicles on approach of authorized emergency vehicles.
(a) Upon the immediate approach of an authorized emergency vehicle equipped with at least one lighted lamp exhibiting red light visible under normal atmospheric conditions from a distance of five hundred feet to the front of such vehicle other than a police vehicle or bicycle when operated as an authorized emergency vehicle, and when audible signals are sounded from any said vehicle by siren, exhaust whistle, bell, air-horn or electronic equivalent; the driver of every other vehicle shall yield the right of way and shall immediately drive to a position parallel to, and as close as possible to the right-hand edge or curb of the roadway, or to either edge of a one-way roadway three or more lanes in width, clear of any intersection, and shall stop and remain in such position until the authorized emergency vehicle has passed, unless otherwise directed by a police officer.
(b) This section shall not operate to relieve the driver of an authorized emergency vehicle from the duty to drive with reasonable care for all persons using the highway.
That basicly means pull over and STOP.
Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by Art "ChiefReason" Goodrich on
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Can't.
Firefighters out East-New Jersey, I think-sued for hearing loss!
Q's are "too noisy".
Art
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Permalink Reply by Greenman on -
Even with the new sound-proofing on modern apparatus? No more open cabs and jump seats!
;-)
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Permalink Reply by rickie kilgore on
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i have learned that some will and some will not. i have had cars pull out in front of me to make a turn.
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Permalink Reply by FNG Again on -
i hate responding sometime with lights and sirens goin. people don't realize they need to pull to the right and stop. i've had people stop in front of us in the left hand lane. the worst so far was someone that went left of center when we came up behind her.
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Permalink Reply by Beth on -
I feel that if they taught this more in driver's ed (school and private) classes we might not have these problems. Maybe a road simulator course (like pilots use before they fly a large plane). Maybe even a video "game" with a steering wheel. To make it more affordable for schools. If they can't pass the simulator, written test, and a real road course then they can't get their licence. I think a video camera in the bumpers would be better than still shots. Like the dash cameras in patrol cars. I agree that we just download the info and an thats it. That way the issue is out of our hands.
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Permalink Reply by Really living is optional on -
We were responding in the rescue truck last week about to make a right hand turn and there was a car that had pulled into the right hand shoulder and kept creeping up on us. Sometimes when we leave the station the cops have to stop the traffic in the intersection for us so we can get out. That hasn't happened too often. I also run lights and sirens on my POV, I know they're just asking for a curtesy but it can be frustrating when people won't get out of your way.
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Permalink Reply by Jasen Erick on -
Actually if you have authorization to run lights and sirens on your pov it is not a curtesy but law that they must pull to the right and come to a complete stop, in every state.
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Permalink Reply by Paint Boy on
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I couln't agree more, but many of the problems we have is the police cutting us off or trying to pass us at any cost. They want that damm life saftey award they are given for trying to do what we are trained and equipped to do.
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Permalink Reply by Tony Leonard,Jr. on -
Yes I hear all of ya.Yesterday we had a PIAA-Roll-Over and when ever we come off of our side street @ the red light we STOP WITHLIGHTS SIRENS & AIR HORNS going and they DONT STOP...EVEN WHEN WE HAVE THE GREEN LIGHT!And as a result of many accidents Rural/Metro has put Dash Cams in ALL of thier Rigs.An they have to STOP & WAIT AT ALL RED LIGHTS,even with lights and sirens going.And if you DONT STOP,the camera turns on and YOU & YOUR PARTNER GET FIRED!MAYBE Sound Profing in all the new cars has something to do with it,when i have the windows rolled up in my wifes saturn I CANT HEAR ANY SIREN...EVEN A FEDERAL Q!.-REMEMBER THE FORD F150 COMMERCIALS?-But in my truck(AN OLD CHEVY) I can hear everything.
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Permalink Reply by Drew Bartholomew on -
The biggest problem we have in my area are the damn rubberneckers that think they need to know everything that is going on. we have had 3 fatalities from people driving around trucks that are used as road blocks to secure the scene of a MVA.... and they have either hit the cars involved or 2 times they totaled our unit the dumb bastards need to pay attenion... does a BIG RED ENGINE PARKED SIDEWAYS IN THE ROAD WITH LIGHTS ON AND A FIREFIGHTER DIRECTIONG TRAFFIC MEAN GO AROUND AND SEE WHATS GOING ON AND CRASH???? HELL NO IT MEAN FREAKIN STOP!!!!
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Permalink Reply by Bob Kinne on -
Last summer our Fire Police unit set up an informational booth at an annual city celebration, and part of that information involved the responsibilities of motorists whenever they encounter an emergency vehicle on the roadway.
Attached is a photo of the "Slow Down - Stay Alert" poster we developed.
The state has given us a number of traffic laws designed to help ensure our safety while responding and working on the roadways but they are of little or no value to us if people are unaware of them. We need to all that we can to educate the mororists on our streets and highways. - Attachments:
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FPshirt.jpg, 153 KB
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Permalink Reply by Ted Bownas on -
Scary poster...nice! The problem I'm seeing is the general lack of awareness on the part of drivers. Too many other distractions and demands on our attention when we're behind the wheel. Cell phones (obviously), DVDs playing for the kids, stereos cranked up to earsplitting levels (apparently for the benefit of the people ten car lengths behind), GPS units telling us to turn left in 500 feet (oncoming and overtaking traffic be damned), and now they want us to watch for FIRE TRUCKS, too?!?!?! Come on...you've got to be kidding!:-)
The ones that crack me up are these PAK's (Punk-Ass Kids) (referring to emotional maturity-actual age is irrelevant) who drive with the seat reclined nearly horizontal and the brim of their (sideways) designer baseball caps barely peeking above the window sill...are they peering thru the spokes of the wheel to drive? I have to laugh every time I pass one...
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Got the date for Wytheville Christmas Parade. Dec. 12, 2009 at 3 pm line up at 1:30 pm
On the way
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I'll throw the BS flag there....
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