Other Safety Tips.

TAKE APPROPRIATE ACTIONS WHEN LIGHTS
AND SIRENS APPROACH.

It's no secret that traffic is just about as bad as it gets
right now in Michigan. What should you do if you 're
sitting in bumper-to-bumper traffic and you hear the
desperate scream of a siren coming up behind you? The
actions you take could determine the difference in the
critical minutes needed to save a life.

ST. CLAIR SHORES FIREFIGHTERS OFFER THE
FOLLOWING TIPS FOR DRIVERS WHO FIND
THEMSELVES IN THE PATH OF EMERGENCY VEHICLES:

First of all remain calm and don't panic. If at all possible,
move to the right and come to a complete stop. Remember,
"Move to the right for sirens and lights"
When you're at an intersection with stop sign or traffic
lights, and an emergency vehicle
is coming up behind you, stay
where you are if you cannot pull to the right. The driver of an
emergency vehicle can then anticipate where to move the
ambulance, fire engine, or police car.

DRIVERS SHOULD NOT DO THE FOLLOWING:

Stop in the middle of the lane when there is room to pull to the right.

Pull to the left in the center yellow lane or left turn lane.

Drive through a red traffic light or stop sign when an
Emergency vehicle approaches from behind you.

Make a left turn quickly to a driveway or side street.

Race ahead to get through a green traffic light or turn
before an emergency vehicle gets there.

Disregard the emergency vehicle and continue to travel.

The men and women who drive fire engines, ambulances
and police vehicles are thoroughly trained and tested.

They are taught first to drive with due regard for the
safety of others. Their intent is never to force other cars
off the road. This supersedes a natural desire to get where
they are going quickly to help victims of a car crash or a
victim of cardiac arrest or to fight a fire.
Drivers of emergency vehicles know that they cannot help
anyone if they don't get there. Generally, emergency
drivers will move to the left, since the public is
encouraged to move to the right.

Why is it so important for drivers to respect response
vehicles by moving out of the way and stopping? When
you or someone you care about needs the help of
emergency responders, you will be thankful for the
drivers who didn't impede their response and allowed for
their safe and prompt arrival.