deastman

I don't know the traffic laws in states other than my own, Michigan, but I have heard the same line all too often: "You don't have the right of way, you are asking for it". It's a cute little sentiment, but it isn't true, at least not in Michigan. Emergency vehicles displaying emergency lights and sounding sirens HAVE THE RIGHT OF WAY. Other vehicles are REQUIRED to pull to right, stop, and yield the right of way to the emergency vehicle. This is a ticketable offense, and in a past life as a police officer I have written more than one ticket for people who thought they could disregard an emergency vehicle. As for where you live, you are responsible for knowing the state and local traffic laws you operate under. Look them up, don't trust that the other guy knows what he's talking about. All that having been said, the point of that oft repeated phrase is best expressed by another old saying; "You can be right, dead right." If you end up with a dead partner and/or a dead patient, being right won't bring them back. Just because you have the right of way doesn't mean you can safely exercise it. That is where training, experience, and more training come in. It is an area that is unfortunately too often overlooked. A combination of skill, training, and common sense will go a lot further toward patient and crew safety than all the laws ever written. The concept of "do no harm" extends to our driving. We have people's lives in our hands every day, and those include other drivers on the road. Approach your driving with the same dedication you approach your patient care, after all, isn't that what it is?