Ever imagine what
it’d be like to dodge Deerfoot gridlock by racing through traffic via
ambulance, en route to an accident?
Or maybe it’s
piloting a bright-red, fully-equipped truck on the way to a raging fire you’ve
mused about?
Either way, weaving
in and out of heavy traffic at high speeds calls police, firefighters and
ambulance drivers to maneuver at exceptional skill level.
So how can you help
EMS battle through traffic? And more vitally, what should you do when EMS pulls
up behind you, sirens blaring:
Stay alert and avoid distractions
like loud music. This way you can spot or hear emergency
trucks coming your way and can pull over on the right-hand shoulder of the
road. As you steer don’t forget to flash your hazards and bring your car to a
complete stop if possible.
Once the emergency
vehicle passes, do a quick shoulder check before heading back on the street.
It’s not uncommon to see police and fire speeding close behind an ambulance as
they often travel in packs when responding to emergencies.
On the flip side,
if you’re heading toward a stationary ambulance, police unit or fire truck – slow down and keep an eye out for officers
directing traffic or dangerous scenarios like: burning buildings, flipped cars
or affected parties milling about close by.
Roving on a
multi-lane road? Change lanes to move yourself further away from the emergency
scene, if you can.
Find more “Rules of
the Road” for emergency vehicle driving safety per Alberta Traffic Safety Act
here: http://www.edmonton.ca/for_residents/emergency_services/emergency-vehicle-traffic-safety.aspx
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