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Tuesday, August 02, 2011

Stop For Emergency Cars, But Not In An Intersection

WASHINGTON - With congestion levels high in the region, some folks wonder about the best way to make room for emergency vehicles.
 
When motorists hear sirens, the first thing they should do is move to the nearest curb on the right or left side of the road and come to a complete stop, says Scott Graham, assistant fire chief for the Montgomery County Fire and Rescue Service. But, he says, only when it's safe to do so.
 
The idea is to create a path emergency vehicles can get through. So, for example, when there are three lanes of traffic, clear so that the emergency vehicle can use the center lane.
 
One common mistake that can lead to crashes, Graham says, is speeding up to clear an intersection, not realizing that other emergency vehicles may be coming from different directions.
 
In a recent e-mail, Montgomery County Chief Richard Bowers offered the following tips:

  • Once you hear the sirens, pull over as close to the edge of the roadway and stop.
  • Leave room, keep intersections clear.
  • When you are sure that all emergency vehicles are clear, ease back into traffic.
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4 comments:

Anonymous said...

Of course ,if you are an illegal mexican , then pull into the path of the emergency vehicle , you will be rich.
It's done all the time.

Anonymous said...

Of course ,if you are an illegal mexican , then pull into the path of the emergency vehicle , you will be rich.
It's done all the time.

August 2, 2011 1:38 PM

Explain why since they are here illegal, which means they shouldn't be driving here in the first place.

Anonymous said...

The fools that the government allows to drive an "Emergency" vehicle just ignore laws and drive like fools because they have a patient with a sliver.

Anonymous said...

patient with a sliver

sliver of what? what laws do they ignore? you sure like the word 'fool'.