Safety on the Streets: Everyone's Responsibility

A normal reaction in an emergency situation is that people panic.  Rules and common sense can go right out the window when an emergency situation presents itself.  That's why it is so important to remind ourselves in a calm moment how we should react when an emergency arises.                

Reviewing the rules of the road in an emergency situation is particularly helpful.  Flashing lights and sirens can disrupt the normal ebb and flow of traffic and increase the likelihood of an accident occurring if drivers don't remember how to calmly and safely handle the situation.

So what should a driver do when an emergency vehicle is approaching? Section 3325 of the Pennsylvania Vehicle code directs drivers to immediately yield the right-of-way and move as close as possible to the right-hand side of the road or curb and come to a stop until the emergency vehicle passes.  If traveling on a one-way street, move to the curb that is closest to your current lane of travel. 

Confusion on the road can lead to additional accidents and unnecessary delays in emergency responders getting to people in need of their assistance.  In the case of EmergyCare, each second is valuable when responding to life and death medical emergencies.  The most helpful thing the public can do to help ensure timely response to medical emergencies is to heed the rules of the road and move to the right when you see red flashing lights.

Jet 24 Action News rode along with EmergyCare ambulances and captured great examples of how traffic flows smoothly when following the move the right rules and also examples of the confusion and delay that results when other drivers fail to yield to an emergency vehicle.