Move Over Law?

Question

This law went into effect in Georgia approximately a year ago. Sad to say, I rarely see it enforced. I'm an EMT and I drive an ambulance. I can't even begin to say how many times people do NOT yield the right of way to me when I am at code 3 status (emergency). It's so simple...when approached by an emergency vehicle at code 3, you are supposed to move to the RIGHT by one lane to clear a path. What can we do to make people aware that we need them to obey this law? To me, people who do not obey this law are indirectly affecting a patient's care. It's dangerous enough to run an emergency without having to negotiate an obstacle course. I'd like to know the opinions of other EMTs...not just Georgia but all over. What do you think? What can we do?

I will add this...my attention is already divided between the road, idiot drivers,
my partner and my patient. I can't afford to distract myself even further by writing down tag numbers. This morning, I was blocked by no fewer than 50 vehicles on ONE call-a 15 mile transport. How can people not see the lights or hear the sirens and air horn (both are LOUD). I can't tell any of you how frustrating that is. LARGE and frequent freeway signs might help. Then again, that doesn't help on city streets or county roads.

Do people know that they can legally proceed through a red light when there is an ambulance at code 3 behind them? Of course, they should not drive into oncoming traffic. The same goes for cross traffic. STOP!! There will be another green light. No one is in that much of a hurry. If you are, you better have a life or death emergency like I do.

Answer 1

People are oblivious. Drivers are like a horse with blinders on. Cell phones and music "systems" make it worse. People just don't pay attention, their eyes and ears are busy with things unrelated to driving. I drive a school bus, as you probably know, most fatalities occur at student bus stops. How does anyone "not see" a big bright yellow bus? They are dialing the phone, tuning the radio, fixing their hair in the rear view mirror, reading the paper, and on and on. The more I drive the more I realize how little people pay attention to anything except how quickly they can get between here and their destination. I see what your talking about regularly, many people figure its acceptable to "speed up" to get out of the way for emergency vehichles. What's just as appalling is the scene when it's time for, those that did get off, to get back on the road. It's not the first person in line goes first, it's the person that can floor the accellerator and get back on the road fastest that goes first. It's a complete lack of respect for our fellow man. The people that don't pull over for you, are the same ones that are going to blame you when you don't get to your location fast enough. Just as the people that don't stop for a School bus are the first ones to blame the driver, if their child is hurt in any way.
Someone mentioned getting the license #....doesn't help, you have to be able to identify the person driving in a detailed description...anyone could have been driving the car with the license # XXXXXXX. I don't think an ambulance driver can afford to take his eyes off the road to get a license #, not to mention a description of the driver.
Part of the solution is not granting a "lifetime" driving license. A regular renewal, and exam will help people to remember the rules of the road. Many habits drivers have they don't even know are illegal.

Answer 2

In NC we have the same law...and signs posted on Highways to yield to emergency vehicles...
I think highway signs are an effective way to post the message not only to natives, but visitors from another state...it is also common sense and common courtesy..something sorely lacking today....
I live in a small coastal area, where fortunately, people will move over or yield to an emergency vehicle...

Answer 3

One thing our company has considered doing is installing remote cameras on the front of each unit and linking them to a proposed 24-hour watch center tied into the PD dispatch office. It would obviously cost a boatload, but if people can't get it through their thick skulls that there's an emergency going on and they need to move, perhaps a $200 ticket in the mail would remind them. Believe me, I share that frustration!!

Answer 4

I am too an EMT and there is the same law here in MI. I don't think there is really anythign you can do except make sure they see your lights and blair the horn! Some people are just very disrespectful and don't care. But this situation also frustrates me. Stay safe :)

Answer 5

I agree with you 100%. I never have a problem moving over to let an ambulance by. What I also hate is when I pull over to let one by and the people behind me dont pull over and then wont let me back on the road!

Answer 6

call dispatch and give tag # and have a deputy talk to the driver