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Emergency Vehicles
and YOU!
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In an emergency, minutes can mean the difference between life
and death, and critical seconds can be lost if drivers don’t
make way for emergency vehicles.
Take sirens seriously — make way for an ambulance, fire truck
or police vehicle.
Someday you may be the one calling for help, or the life on
the line might be a friend, neighbor or someone you love.
How You Can Help
You can do some simple things to help emergency personnel
reach a person in need. Use the letters S.I.R.E.N. to remember
the right way to yield to an emergency vehicle. |
S:
Stay Alert
Drive defensively, keep the noise level down in your car and
look for more than one emergency vehicle approaching when you
hear a siren.
I: Investigate
Check your rear-view mirror, scan in front and on both sides
of your vehicle, try to estimate the closing speed of the
emergency vehicle and plan your next move.
R: React
React quickly, but calmly and scan in all directions before
pulling over. Always use a turn signal when exiting the
roadway and don’t slam on the brakes or pull over suddenly.
E: Enter
Before re-entering the road, make a visual sweep in all
directions, turn on your signal, and gradually merge back into
traffic.
N: Never
Don’t stop at a place that doesn’t have enough room to pull
over safely and never follow or try to outrun an emergency
vehicle.
At Intersections
Be alert for pedestrians who may be in the crosswalk or at the
edge of the roadway. They might be looking for the emergency
vehicle too and not be aware of your efforts to yield
properly.
On the Highway
Always use your signal so that other drivers know how you
intend to exit the road and look for other cars that may have
to move across lanes of traffic to yield. Pull as far off the
highway as safely possible and gradually brake to avoid losing
control in loose gravel on the shoulder.
As Pedestrians
Always check for turning vehicles before you step into the
street because drivers may not see you. Be sure to stop at the
curb, look left-right-left before crossing the street, and
keep looking for vehicles.
Do not cross in front of an emergency vehicle which may be
stopped at a busy intersection, wait for the vehicle to pass.
As Bicyclists
Always wear a helmet on every ride and equip your bicycle with
reflectors on the front and rear. Bicyclists must obey traffic
laws that apply to motor vehicles. Ride single file and on the
right side of the road with traffic.
When an emergency vehicle is approaching, pull as far to the
right as possible. Do not cross in front of an emergency
vehicle which may be stopped at a busy intersection, wait for
the vehicle to pass.
Let
them through... It could be you!
Not every emergency medical response requires lights and
sirens, but next time you encounter such a situation, yield
immediately so that the emergency personnel can reach the
person who is waiting for help to arrive. Remember, it’s
important to let them through...next time, it could be you.
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