Do you give way to Emergency Services?

Question

I'm just curious - for those who drive and sometimes encounter emergency services (in an emergency situation - lights/sirens) vehicles...do you always give way?

I work with our local volunteer Fire and Rescue Service and find that while the majority of drivers give way...there are some that simply proceed through their own green light/intersection - or simply won't change lanes to get out of the way (making us weave) - and although sometimes its hard to do so, I think that often they just don't try.

I'm curious - if you don't give way...why? Is it because you feel it's better to be predictable and let them go around you?

Do you (try) to always give way?

Added point...if people don't give way, it's hard for us to stop too...our minds are preoccupied often with the fire or road accident we're going to, so people that pull out in front really risk their own safety as well as courtesy!

Answer 1

i always give way. ALWAYS! i respect those men and women trying to respond as quickly as possible to save others from harm.

Answer 2

I am new at driving, only been at it for 42 years. Somewhere around a million and a half miles with well over 100 K on motorcycles.

I ALWAYS get out of an emergency vehicle's way. In fact, in all my driving and encounters with Code 3 vehicles I can't remember a single time when I was powerless to help open the road. I have been caught stopped at a light and decided not to move. I felt it was better to remain still than to force an emergency vehicle operator to try to guess what I was going to do next.

In your experience was that the right thing to do???

Answer 3

I definitely do give way..I was married to a paramedic for 12 years. It's amazing that so many people don't. One thing I find that confuses a lot of drivers is that they think they need to ALWAYS pull to the RIGHT. This doesn't always apply and they wind up more in the way. Sometimes it's best to just go to the nearest edge. Different circumstances apply but common sense should come into play after evaluating the traffic pattern. I know cellphone use and loud stereos definitely make people unaware if not ignorant to the emergency vehicles. Thanks to people like you, we are all a little safer in this world. Be careful out there.

Answer 4

I always pull to the side of the road, no matter which way the emergency vehicle is coming. Where I live it is the law, and a big fine for not doing it. Sometimes the lights and sirens scare people so they panic and don't know to pull over they kind of freeze. I think there should be some TV commercials and posters around to remind people.

Answer 5

I always give way to Emergency Vehicles. They may be responding to someone I care about or would want the same respect and courtesy if the call was for me.

I would expect that if you took notice most of the people who do not give way are females driving SUV's

Answer 6

Hey, I think that it's a darn good idea that you put this question like you did on here!
You got a good point across! I hope.
I always pull over and if I'm in a car with someone else driving and they are hesitant about pulling over, I voice up and tell them where to get out of the way, safely and quick.
Keep up the good work, and keep doing your best to save the lives that you have and can!!!
Giant HUGS!!!!
And I don't do the Internet 'hugs' thing to anybody.... You people are worth it!!!!
;o)

Answer 7

Of course, there are no ifs and buts about this. Aside for the fact that it was an obvious emergency, I also believe in karma.

I have to give way because time might come that I'd be needing emergency services. If that will be the case, I will NEED all those people to give way for that. What goes around, comes around, as they say.

Answer 8

Yes, but sometimes, there are so many cars in the way, I don't see them right away. I drive a sedan and all the SUV's block my vision in the city and on the highway. Unless the emergency vehicle is using the siren. I sometimes don't see them.

Answer 9

Of course. Not only is it the law in my state, but that person is in a situation where every second counts. What if that was my house on fire or my loved one injured or sick? How would I feel about pulling over then?
When you look at it like that, anyone who doesn't get out of the way is a total jerk.

Answer 10

Always.
Here in the Georgia mountains, if you don't pull over you could be arrested or fined.
I have friends on the fire department & have heard storys of people not giving way & being turned in.
Everyone need's to pullover & allow the emergency people move past.

Answer 11

Yes by all means! Although I know what your talking about I see people that just don't give a damn and continue biz as usual or even better take the opportunity and do the follow thing to make the lights. Pisses me off!