Responding to Emergency Vehicle Sirens: What You Should Do

When you hear a siren, your instincts may kick in, but it's crucial to react calmly and safely. Emergency vehicles are on urgent duty to save lives, and your actions can significantly impact the outcome of their mission. Here's what you should do when you encounter a siren:

The Right Response

What you should do is move over to the right and stop if you're in the outside lane of travel for an emergency vehicle in any of the oncoming lanes. Similarly, if you're in the inside lane for an oncoming emergency vehicle, pull into the outside lane and slow down. If you're in any lane going in the same direction as an emergency vehicle, pull over to the shoulder and stop. These actions ensure you do not obstruct the emergency vehicle and provide a clear path for them to pass safely.

Avoid the Wrong Actions

What you should not do is ignore the emergency vehicle or, worse, race it or get in its way. Ignoring the siren could result in a ticket, and worse, it might lead to a collision with the emergency vehicle. A collision could delay the response since a new unit will have to be paged, or it could lead to serious injuries, including fatalities. The safety of drivers and emergency responders is of utmost importance.

Stay Calm and Patient

Don’t panic and slam on your brakes. Slow down and find a safe place to pull over. The emergency vehicle drivers know if you can’t safely pull over right away. If you need to, don’t rush. Safety should always be your top priority.

Additionally, you might find yourself hearing Pink Floyd while thinking about siren responses, playfully rephrasing the advice: “Pull to the right and slow down so the siren can pass by you!” This might be a humorous thought, but it emphasizes the importance of allowing emergency vehicles to pass through safely.

Observe and Adapt

What you do is based on the rules of the road of where you are. Where I reside, the rules involve assessing the direction of the siren and then moving as far right on the road as possible and stopping. Allow the emergency vehicle to pass safely before resuming your drive. Your actions could mean the difference between a timely response and a delayed one.

It's also worth noting that not everyone hears sirens. They may first see cars pulling over and then notice the flashing lights. In those cases, you respond based on what you see, not necessarily what you hear.

For those who are deaf, they often have the best driving skills and records among hearing folks. Their heightened awareness of other cues, like visual signals, contributes to their exceptional driving performance.

Conclusion

Responding to emergency vehicle sirens requires attentiveness and quick decision-making. By following the rules and responding appropriately, you can help ensure that emergency responders can reach their destinations quickly and safely. Remember, your actions can save lives. Stay safe and help others stay safe.