Lights and Sirens - Have we got your attention?

Despite being a very experienced driver, my heart still skips a beat and I break into a cold sweat when I hear a siren. Directionally challenged when it comes to sounds at the best of times, when I hear a siren, I almost have a panic attack ensuring that I do not impede the speedy journey of the emergency services vehicle. But it is becoming increasingly evident, that many of my fellow road users do not experience the same sense of haste and desperation when it comes to getting out of the way of an Ambulance, Fire, or Police vehicle.

It seems that most people move out of the way for a Police vehicle. Why? Because they are the police! They will fine you, right? Because that is all that the police do! It is not because they could be on their way to a life or death situation, or because they could be on their way to catch the bad guy. Rather, it is because 'we' have been conditioned to believe that the police will punish us if we do the wrong thing. 

Second the on hierarchy of emergency vehicles appears to be Fire engines. I am only left to assume this is because drivers have watched any number of Fire Brigade based movies or TV shows, whereby Firefighters have been painted as slightly unhinged individuals, who will ram you off the road if you get in their way. This in itself seems like a good enough reason to get out of their way, not to mention the fact that they could be actually heading to a real emergency. 

Which leaves the humble Ambulance. All these guys appear to do, is save lives. They cannot fine you, they will most likely not run you off the road, they just want to get past so they can get on with their job. Yes, the life or death stuff. Where every minute counts. 

So, how can Emergency Services get the message across to all motorists that it is not only the Law, it is a really good idea to move out of the way of any vehicle with its lights flashing and sirens blaring?

It could be increased education about what exactly action a motorist should take when an Emergency vehicle is attempting to pass them? Or would a catchy earworm jingle do the trick? Perhaps it requires a graphic and shocking campaign, depicting the victims (or their families) whose illness or injury was exacerbated by the delayed arrival of an Emergency Services vehicle? 

Many blame the level of soundproofing which exists in most modern vehicles, for preventing the sound of an oncoming siren being heard. This then results in motorists often seeing the flashing lights before the siren is heard, therefore having a much shorter time in which to react and move to the left.  

In response to the question of, "what should I do when there is an emergency services vehicle behind me?" Here is a short video from a paramedic, as he attempts to reach an accident on the Pyrmont Bridge. The basic idea is get out of the way, indicate and stop. It is not enough to just hop over to the left, but you do need to indicate to give the driver an idea of what you are actually doing.

My suggestion on how to address the issue of drivers not giving way to emergency services is three fold. Firstly, there needs to be education programs to explicitly tell road users of what they need to do when an emergency vehicle is behind them. Secondly, there needs to be a campaign launched to highlight the fact that in an emergency, seconds can save lives. Finally, using the on board camera equipment, identify motorists who fail to give way to, or get out of the way of, emergency services vehicles, and fine them. Not insignificant fines, hefty fines to really drive home the importance of being aware, considerate and law abiding drivers.

Consider your actions as a driver, and share with your family and friends the correct way to react when an emergency services vehicle is approaching you.