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Message
I need a ruling here: Stopping car for emergency vehicles going opposite direction
Posted on 11/20/17 at 8:23 am
Posted on 11/20/17 at 8:23 am
I need a ruling here.
Do you stop your car in the middle of the road when an emergency vehicle is coming in the opposite direction and you have a one or more lane buffer between you? Is this the safest thing to do? Is it technically the correct thing to do?
This morning, and I feel like several times recently, the traffic in front of me slammed on their breaks for an ambulance 4 lanes over going in the opposite direction. This infuriates me for some reason and seems more dangerous than just continuing to drive. You’re not in the way and you’re not in danger of being hit.
Do you stop your car in the middle of the road when an emergency vehicle is coming in the opposite direction and you have a one or more lane buffer between you? Is this the safest thing to do? Is it technically the correct thing to do?
This morning, and I feel like several times recently, the traffic in front of me slammed on their breaks for an ambulance 4 lanes over going in the opposite direction. This infuriates me for some reason and seems more dangerous than just continuing to drive. You’re not in the way and you’re not in danger of being hit.
17
Posted on 11/20/17 at 8:24 am to TheCaterpillar
quote:
Do you stop your car in the middle of the road when an emergency vehicle is coming in the opposite direction and you have a one or more lane buffer between you?
No.
quote:
Is this the safest thing to do?
No.
quote:
Is it technically the correct thing to do?
No.
Posted on 11/20/17 at 8:24 am to TheCaterpillar
A median is the determining factor.
No stoppping either way but give enough room.
No stoppping either way but give enough room.
This post was edited on 11/20/17 at 8:25 am
Posted on 11/20/17 at 8:24 am to TheCaterpillar
What if the emergency vehicle needs to turn left?
ETA: Assuming there is no true median separating both sides of traffic
ETA: Assuming there is no true median separating both sides of traffic
This post was edited on 11/20/17 at 8:25 am
Posted on 11/20/17 at 8:24 am to TheCaterpillar
I just sent my chauffeur a text.
I’ll let you know what he says.
I’ll let you know what he says.
Posted on 11/20/17 at 8:24 am to TheCaterpillar
quote:
Stopping car for emergency vehicles going opposite direction
Yes, pretty sure it's the law in Louisiana. Pull over to the curb as much as possible
Posted on 11/20/17 at 8:25 am to lsunurse
quote:
What if the emergency vehicle needs to turn left?
He should use his blinker.
Posted on 11/20/17 at 8:26 am to lsunurse
quote:
What if the emergency vehicle needs to turn left?
ETA: Assuming there is no true median separating both sides of traffic
They can use the blinkers they have and people can stop then. Just stopping randomly is unsafe and not proper.
Posted on 11/20/17 at 8:27 am to TheCaterpillar
You have to realize people can't drive and be prepared for it.
Posted on 11/20/17 at 8:27 am to lsunurse
quote:
What if the emergency vehicle needs to turn left?
Wouldn't they be in the turning lane? Besides, they slow down and make it clear they're turning when this happens.
When they're not in the turning lane and going 50 mph, they're not about to turn.
And I'm not talking a true median (even though I've seen this). I'm talking a turning lane in the middle.
Lane 1: Ambulance going east bound
Lane 2: Empty lane going east bound
Lane 3: Turning lane
Lane 4: Empty lane going west bound
Lane 5: My lane going west bound where people slammed on their brakes
Posted on 11/20/17 at 8:27 am to TheCaterpillar
No, I wouldn't.
I would stop if I'm at an intersection if it's not immediately clear which way they're headed.
I would stop if I'm at an intersection if it's not immediately clear which way they're headed.
Posted on 11/20/17 at 8:28 am to TheCaterpillar
quote:
Do you stop your car in the middle of the road when an emergency vehicle is coming in the opposite direction and you have a one or more lane buffer between you?
If I'm at an intersection, I always stop for emergency vehicles regardless.
If on single lane roads, I always stop for emergency vehicles and most of the time edge over to the shoulder.
If on multi lane roads and not at an intersection, I will usually just slow down and proceed with caution until the emergency vehicle passes.
This post was edited on 11/20/17 at 8:29 am
Posted on 11/20/17 at 8:29 am to TheCaterpillar
If there is no median, then I believe you're supposed to stop. I usually slow down and pull off to the side, don't usually come to a complete stop.
Posted on 11/20/17 at 8:29 am to GetCocky11
quote:
If I'm at an intersection, I always stop for emergency vehicles regardless.
If on single lane roads, I always stop for emergency vehicles and most of the time edge over to the shoulder.
Me too.
That wasn't the question though.
Posted on 11/20/17 at 8:29 am to TheCaterpillar
You are supposed to yield and move to the side regardless of which direction the emergency vehicle is traveling.
I rarely do though if going the opposite direction.
I rarely do though if going the opposite direction.
Posted on 11/20/17 at 8:30 am to Epic Cajun
quote:
If there is no median, then I believe you're supposed to stop.
This is what I always thought as well. And like you...I try to pull over to the side, not just stop in the middle of the road.
Posted on 11/20/17 at 8:31 am to LNCHBOX
quote:
Is it technically the correct thing to do?
No.
State law seems to be a bit ambiguous:
quote:
§125. Procedure on approach of an authorized emergency vehicle; passing a parked emergency vehicle
A. Upon the immediate approach of an authorized emergency vehicle making use of audible or visual signals, or of a police vehicle properly and lawfully making use of an audible signal only, the driver of every other vehicle shall yield the right-of-way and shall immediately drive to a position parallel to, and as close as possible to, the right-hand edge or curb of the highway clear of any intersection, and shall stop and remain in such position until the authorized emergency vehicle has passed, except when otherwise directed by a police officer.
Posted on 11/20/17 at 8:32 am to TheCaterpillar
According to Ross Cohen, EMT and Driver of Ambulances
quote:
Yes, you should. Please do.
Our goal is to bypass traffic as quickly as possible to potentially save a life. The challenge is that driving to an emergency through heavy traffic with lights and sirens can be dangerous. Stopping completely eliminates that danger.
If everyone on the road stops, we can zoom by, safely and efficiently. If some cars keep moving, even slowly, it can slow us down. More cars moving creates more variables; it reduces our choices for avenues of travel and it forces us to drive much more cautiously. Both have the effect of slowing down response time, which in a true emergency, can cost someone their life.
Posted on 11/20/17 at 8:33 am to TheCaterpillar
quote:
in front of me slammed on their breaks
I prefer to just use my brakes to slow and move to the right if possible. I think breaking your car is excessive and expensive.
Also, I slow down and get hyper vigilant any time I see an emergency vehicle because I know other idiot drivers are bound to do something stupid and I don’t want them to hit me. I call it Blue Light Blindness. Their inability to see anything or anyone on the road besides the flashing lights.
Posted on 11/20/17 at 8:34 am to Epic Cajun
The law:
quote:
TITLE 32 — Motor vehicles and traffic regulation RS 32:125 — Procedure on approach of an authorized emergency vehicle; passing a parked emergency vehicle
Universal Citation: LA Rev Stat § 32:125 §125.
Procedure on approach of an authorized emergency vehicle; passing a parked emergency vehicle
A. Upon the immediate approach of an authorized emergency vehicle making use of audible or visual signals, or of a police vehicle properly and lawfully making use of an audible signal only, the driver of every other vehicle shall yield the right-of-way and shall immediately drive to a position parallel to, and as close as possible to, the right-hand edge or curb of the highway clear of any intersection, and shall stop and remain in such position until the authorized emergency vehicle has passed, except when otherwise directed by a police officer.
B. When any vehicle making use of any visual signals as authorized by law, including the display of alternately flashing amber or yellow warning lights, is parked on or near the highway, the driver of every other vehicle shall:
(1) When driving on an interstate highway or other highway with two or more lanes traveling in the same direction, yield the right-of-way by making a lane change into a lane not adjacent to the parked vehicle, if possible with due regard to safety and traffic conditions. If a lane change is not possible, the driver shall slow to a reasonably safe speed.
(2) Maintain a safe speed for road conditions, if unable or unsafe to change lanes, or driving on a two-lane road or highway.
C. This Section shall not operate to relieve the driver of an authorized emergency vehicle from the duty to drive with due regard for the safety of all persons using the highway.
D. Any person who violates the provisions of this Section shall, upon conviction, be subject to a fine not to exceed two hundred dollars. Acts 1962, No. 310, §1. Amended by Acts 1980, No. 160, §1; Acts 2001, No. 583, §1; Acts 2008, No. 429, §1, eff. June 21, 2008; Acts 2008, No. 746, §1.
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