How to Share the Road with Evansville Emergency Vehicles

We’ve all experienced it at some time or another. You’re simply driving to pick your child up from McGary Middle School or to make a quick grocery store run, when you hear the sound of sirens in the distance. You see the flashing lights and notice the vehicle is coming straight toward you on its way to one of Evansville’s three hospitals. Now, for your safety, and for the safety as those around you, you must take a few steps to ensure that the emergency vehicle can pass with little to no issues.

What to Remember

It is not uncommon for people to get anxious during a moment like this. An emergency vehicle is speeding toward you on a busy road; this can make anyone uncomfortable. In this moment, it’s important to remember a few key things:

• The Emergency Vehicle Always Has the Right of Way: It doesn’t matter if you have been stopped at a red light on Main Street for what has felt like ten solid minutes and the light just finally turned green. If an emergency vehicle is coming toward the intersection, you are required to let it through before you can proceed. The same is true for any stop signs, whether it is a four-way stop or a two-way stop.
• Emergency Vehicles Don’t Obey Typical Traffic Rules: There are various rules that we, as drivers, are accustomed to that emergency vehicles do not have to follow. An example would be the speed limit. The rules of the road are to help pedestrians, drivers, and passengers get from point A to point B safely. However, the priority of an emergency vehicle is to get from point A to point B as soon as possible, and because of this, they are not required to drive at the same speed as we are.

What to Do When You Hear a Siren Approaching

When you hear a siren approaching, determine where the vehicle is coming from. If the vehicle is approaching from behind you, you will want to get out of its way. It is important that you do not act instinctively, but instead check traffic around you to make sure it is safe to get over.

Once you verify that you are clear to move over, turn either your blinker or your hazards on and move to the shoulder if possible. If the vehicle is approaching from the front of you in the other lane, you should still exercise caution. If there is a solid median, like a concrete barrier, you do not have to get over. However, if there is no median or a passable median, like a stretch of grass, you should attempt to get in the farthest lane or shoulder.

Help from an Evansville Car Accident Attorney

If you were injured in a car accident because others were not exercising proper caution in regard to an emergency vehicle, you could be entitled to compensation. Call Hensley Legal Group today for a free consultation, or contact us online.