Look where you’re going

The Charlottesville Daily Progress
Published: June 3, 2008

Get out of the way.

We don’t mean that disrespectfully.

It’s just that emergency vehicle drivers tell us that more and more motorists are failing to clear the way for firetrucks and ambulances.

Sometimes motorists even actively create confusion — they switch lanes, then switch back again — making it all the harder for emergency drivers to negotiate the road.

The causes, suggest emergency personnel, are multifold.

Motorists are more distracted these days. Listening to loud music and talking on cell phones makes it more difficult to hear sirens; the tendency to focus inwardly on music or conversations or thoughts also makes it hard to see emergency lights.

Sometimes motorists see and hear the vehicle, but don’t know what to do, forgetting their drivers’ education.

Sometimes they know what to do but have difficulty complying promptly, as worsening traffic congestion gets in their way. Rural roads with no shoulders also prevent motorists from pulling over promptly.

But the basic rules are simple.

Keep your attention on the road and on your surroundings. That means being alert for lights and sirens.

But that same alert driving style will also help protect you from unexpected hazards — such as distracted drivers weaving into your lane or a child’s ball bouncing into the road in front of you, followed by the child.

Change lanes or pull off to the side of the road to clear a path for the emergency vehicle. Slow down and use your turn signal; emergency drivers need to know your intentions so they can safely maneuver around you.

Don’t slow down or stop in an intersection, especially if you see a flashing white light near a traffic signal. That white light is to warn you that the light is about to change to let an emergency vehicle through.

Don’t panic and speed out of their way, or pull over or change lanes when it’s not safe. Getting yourself into an accident will not make things easier for the ambulance or firetruck.

On the other hand, needlessly slowing down an emergency vehicle on its way to a rescue is not something you want on your conscience.

So conscious driving — paying attention — is a must. And when you see or hear an emergency vehicle, get out of the way.

Respectfully, of course.