Last week while I was driving to work, I glanced in my rear-view mirror to see an ambulance with its lights flashing on the road behind me.
I turned the corner and pulled over to let the ambulance pass me and then after the ambulance drove by (and I checked that no other emergency vehicles were coming), I pulled back on to the highway.
It was a fairly straightforward occurrence that has happened a thousand times since I first received my license to drive.However as I was driving down the highway, I noticed a troublesome thing: no one else was pulling over for the ambulance.
As we head into the snowy season with wretched road conditions and poor driving weather, I was considerably disturbed by this very blatant disregard for the rules and regulations of our roads.
From the ICBC Driver's Manual: "Emergency vehicles displaying flashing lights and sirens always have the right-of-way.All traffic moving in both directions must stop."
There is one exception to this rule: "If you are on a divided highway and the emergency vehicle is approaching on the other side of the meridian, you may not need to stop."
Government or Crown Corporation-issued documents are not usually accused of being "too readable" but in this instance, it is pretty clear.
When there is an emergency vehicle, pull over safely and stop.Don't just slow down.Don't panic.Don't get annoyed.
The emergency vehicle has the right-of-way, always.
The Motor Vehicle Act of BC, section 177, is equally clear: "On the immediate approach of an emergency vehicle giving an audible signal by a bell, siren or exhaust whistle, and showing a visible flashing red light, except when otherwise directed by a peace officer, a driver must yield the right of way, and immediately drive to a position parallel to and as close as possible to the nearest edge or curb of the roadway, clear of an intersection, and stop and remain in that position until the emergency vehicle has passed."
As a gentle reminder to my friends on the road, please use your best common sense and obey the rules of the road.
If there comes a time when you need an ambulance, fire truck or police vehicle, you do not want it delayed because they could not get to you, safely, in time.
Unfortunately, emergency sirens are heard frequently in this day and age and because I want all residents of this fair city to be able to get the help they need, when they need it, please pull over for emergency vehicles.
