Traffic Crash on 98@Sugar Drive

[Matt J]

Ah, but this was at a red light... I couldn't go anywhere!

I've run the light if it's safe to get out of the way.

 

[rdelong43065]

Keep going until you are off the road. If there is a grassy area between the main road and the turn lane get on that. If all else fails and you panic, just stop, they will go around you.

Just put your turn signal on and slowly pull to the side of the road. If you just "stop" you run the risk of the emergency vehicle hitting you. They are much bigger and you can't just swerve out of the way or stop suddenly. People who panic and just stop are the biggest nightmare of emergency vehicle operators. EV operators are taught to pass slower vehicles on the left when possible. By turning to the left to get out of the way, you are actually creating an unsafe hazard for those drivers. Believe me. When you are at a red light and there is room for them to get through, stay put. Slow down and pull to the side when they are approaching you. Move over and slow down to 20 mph below the speed limit when approaching stopped emergency vehicles on the road.

 

[Matt J]

Just put your turn signal on and slowly pull to the side of the road. If you just "stop" you run the risk of the emergency vehicle hitting you. They are much bigger and you can't just swerve out of the way or stop suddenly. People who panic and just stop are the biggest nightmare of emergency vehicle operators. EV operators are taught to pass slower vehicles on the left when possible. By turning to the left to get out of the way, you are actually creating an unsafe hazard for those drivers. Believe me. When you are at a red light and there is room for them to get through, stay put. Slow down and pull to the side when they are approaching you. Move over and slow down to 20 mph below the speed limit when approaching stopped emergency vehicles on the road.

Sorry I should have been more clear. I meant if you are stopped and not sure what to do just stay put.

 

[Minnie]

If an emergency vehicke is approaching.......get in the left lane or pull over to your left. Remember LEFT.

Is this a Florida specific thing, as here it is always pull over to the right??

When a driver notices an emergency vehicle approaching with lights and/or sirens activated, the driver should always attempt to safely move as far to the right side of the road as possible, clearing the way for the emergency vehicle. In addition, vehicles are to remain stopped until the emergency vehicle passes. If the driver is already stopped at an intersection, remain stopped and the emergency vehicle will go around .

 

[Everytime]

I have always heard pull to the right as well.

 

[enfuego]

It is to the right or the closest shoulder. Moving over or out of the closest lane of traffic in which emergency vehicles are stationary on the side of the road is FL law.

 

[wccop]

Just keep this in mind...we are trying to get to what could be one of your loved ones. Get out of the way, CAREFULLY. Think quickly but don't panic and freeze...just get out of the way. I don't care which side you are on when I am coming thru.

 

[SoWalProfire]

Pull to the right for sirens and lights.

Always move safely and deliberately to the right side of the road when you see or hear an emergency vehicle approaching.

We rely on open lanes of traffic to navigate safely through intersections. We prefer the left lane because it is closer to the center of the road and all non emergency traffic is supposed to move to the right. After all traffic is stopped at an intersection, if there are no open lanes in our direction of travel, we will CAUTIOUSLY utilize the opposite traffic lane to go around stopped traffic at the intersection. This is only after we are POSITIVE that all traffic has stopped.

Please remember, we are trying to save someone’s life or property. Even if you are on a road which has three lanes traveling in your direction, PLEASE slow to a stop in the far right lane until we have passed. Please don't try to out run us as this will result in your being in the way at the next intersection. And please don't follow us closely. This is dangerous and against the law.

Remember:
Pull to the right for sirens and lights.

 

[Zebraspots]

Treat every emergency vehicle like it's going to YOUR house and get outta the way pronto!

Those seconds and minutes when you're waiting for help can seem like hours!

 

[GoodWitch58]

I think a lot of people are either talking on the phone, listening to the radio/cd, or a book on tape...and they just don't hear/see the flashing lights/siren...scary that drivers are so oblivious to the surroundings.

I could not believe the behavior when this happened last Thursday.