Respond to an Ambulance
Since ambulances are usually dispatched to save lives, they're allowed disobey traffic laws to rush to the aid of the ill or injured victim. Unfortunately, unrelated casualties are the result of this rush usually due to an inattentive or oblivious bystander. Knowing how to respond to an ambulance can mean the difference between life and serious injury for uninvolved spectators.
Steps
- Be attentive. In order to respond properly to an ambulance, you must be attentive enough to be able to detect the ambulance.
- Put distractions away. Distractions may include, but are not limited to:
- Phones
- Small handheld devices
- Music players
- Spot the ambulance and notice your surroundings so you can quickly move out of the way of danger if needed. Ambulances are often driving at least 10 mph (or 15 km/h) above the speed limit. If you are in the way, the ambulance may not be able to stop.
- Look in front of you and find a safe direction to move to.
- Know the direction that the ambulance is coming from and where it is possibly going.
- Move quickly and discretely out of the way of the ambulance without causing any other commotion or distraction. Wait for the ambulance to pass.
- Proceed cautiously. There may be more emergency vehicles approaching.
- Do not rush behind the clear space behind the Ambulance. This is not only considered bad etiquette and taking advantage of a grave and distressful situation, but is also quite dangerous as well.
