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Bad drivers often block emergency first responders from getting to scenes
KOB4 ^ | Chris Ramirez

Posted on 07/27/2015 11:50:44 PM PDT by nickcarraway

All this week, our 4 Investigates team has hit the road, taking note and video of those bad drivers terrorizing our roadways. This time, we attached dashboard cameras to emergency responders, which showed that bad driving can be taken to a whole new level that is selfish and dangerous for all of us.

As a first responder, every second counts. But the truth is bad drivers are adding seconds to the response times of emergency vehicles.

Albuquerque firefighters from Station 11 allowed us to install our dashboard cameras on their engine and paramedic units. On the first callout of the day, we encountered bad drivers.

As the engine approaches an intersection, a gold sedan cuts in front. Seconds later, a grey pickup darts through while the engine is clearly already turning left. "It's frustrating for paramedics, firefighters and police officers when they are responding to an emergency," said AFD spokesperson Melissa Romero. "Seconds do matter."

On another callout in the ambulance, the paramedics were forced to lay on the horn as a red sedan takes the turn even though the driver knew paramedics were trying to get to someone's emergency.

"We see drivers panic," Romero said. "They get a little freaked out when they see lights and sirens behind them. Try to calm down. Safely move to the right; stop and wait for us to pass so we can get to that emergency quicker."

At yet another intersection, the engine is barely able to get through an open lane because a driver kept moving into it.

"It is typical for drivers to either stop right in front of us – completely ignoring us – or moving to the left," Romero said.

The law is clear: when you see a first responder on the road, move over. By trying to beat the emergency vehicle, you put many people at risk.

The job of a first responder is to get to the emergency. Your job as a driver is to get out of their way.

The penalty for blocking emergency vehicles is only a misdemeanor in New Mexico. It's not unusual for states to consider failing to yield a misdemeanor.

But in recent years, many states have started to crack down harder. Arizona re-classified the offense as "aggressive driving," which means an automatic suspension of your license.

Virigina has enacted the toughest penalty in the nation, labeling it as "reckless driving" with possible jail time.


TOPICS: Local News; Travel
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1 posted on 07/27/2015 11:50:44 PM PDT by nickcarraway
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To: nickcarraway

The “turd world” attitude of Miami drivers make things hell for EMS and Fire. Too bad they don’t have a guy stationed on the hood with a squirt cannon filled with orange paint.

The fire stations could furnish removal antidote that would clean things up if applied within 24 hours.

Scofflaws could apply it right after the PD finished writing a ticket for obstructing an emergency vehicle.


2 posted on 07/28/2015 12:18:35 AM PDT by QBFimi (/...o.o/.o...ooo/...o.o...o/ooo/...o.o/.o/ooo.//o..o./. o.)
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To: QBFimi
I dont get it...round here I have never seen a driver not give EMS/Fire/police a wide Berth

Also up here in Ohio/Ind/Mich the law is you move to the passing lane when there is an emergency vehicle on the berm....

Some of us drivers even do it when there is a truck broken down, or if a driver has simply stopped on the berm..

IE...you can tell when people are paying attention and move over...

I know that stupid assclowns have run right into the back of a car, truck, trooper,or a group of Bikes that are pulled over on the right and I just cant imagine how that can happen...

How stupid do you have to be to run right into someone on the side of the road?

I guess some people get hypnotised by the road and thus home in on the tail lights of a pulled over vehicle ...like they are following a car in their own lane...then smack right into the back of a cop car or anyone one the berm.

Just remember...if you have to pull over on the highway....pull WAY OVER....and get everyone out of the vehicle and far anough away to be safe if someone plows into the back of your vehicle....cuz it happens

3 posted on 07/28/2015 3:09:37 AM PDT by Crim (Palin / West '16)
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To: QBFimi

Here is a prime example:
\
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fZDIwaRWCl0


4 posted on 07/28/2015 3:14:01 AM PDT by Crim (Palin / West '16)
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To: Crim

>> ... some people get hypnotized by the road and thus home in on the tail lights of a pulled over vehicle...

Interesting point. Some PDs and SOs are now asking “how bright is TOO bright?” when it comes to new super-bright LEDs used in the rear-facing takedown lights. Tests show that, if they are left in the full bright, rapid flash position, it is more difficult for an approaching vehicle to see an officer approaching the stopped car, even if he is wearing a reflective vest.


5 posted on 07/28/2015 5:38:39 AM PDT by QBFimi (/...o.o/.o...ooo/...o.o...o/ooo/...o.o/.o/ooo.//o..o./. o.)
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To: QBFimi

I’ve seen troopers putting thier cruisers at an angle to break the profile of a vehicle in a lane....you can see that the car is parked when you come up on it.


6 posted on 07/28/2015 5:43:13 AM PDT by Crim (Palin / West '16)
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To: QBFimi

Hubby was a Captain at a fire station in a town with 99% Latino population. If they didn’t move his engineer would get right on their azzes and lay on the air horn. Hubby says after they peed their pants they moved real fast. lol


7 posted on 07/28/2015 7:33:37 AM PDT by sheana
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To: nickcarraway
I suggest they switch over to a ratty looking deuce-and-a-half with all the EMT amenities hidden inside. Something so ugly that you know the driver absolutely does not care if you hit him.
8 posted on 07/28/2015 8:10:45 AM PDT by pa_dweller (But 'twould be an ill world for weaponless dreamers if evil men were not now and then slain - JRK)
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To: QBFimi

I always pull over, always have. It’s a problem here in Texas and Louisiana too. I knew several cops in north Louisiana, they hated it.

Just a couple of weeks ago...A good friend was Tesax State Fire Marshall for this area till he died, his wife is still involved in local fire department, her hosue is fire dept central. I went through town and saw her main small truck heading to the highway, lights flashing, I pulled over into a parking lot. I was the only one, she had to sit there and wait for a full minute for a break in traffic, and some one almost ran over her when she finally had a chance, they almost stopped then stepped on the gas as she pulled onto the road.

Stupid...normally I’m the only one that pulls over for emergency vehicles. Everyone else just ignores them. If t hat fire truck is coming with its lights on, someone has an emergency and if you don’t get out of their way that 5 seconds could mean life or death to someone trapped in a burning house.

Get the hell out of the way! It’s that simple.

I pull over onto the shoulder if there is one, if not I pull over as far as I can and soon as they pull into the left lane to pass I let off the gas and let them have the road. The only thing I won’t do is cause someone else to be in harm’s way...


9 posted on 07/28/2015 9:32:57 AM PDT by Paleo Pete (If you had everything...where would you put it?)
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