? to LEO's on ambulance ROW

[Soundguy]

Got a question to any former or current LEO's, and would like to hear youropinion on it.

Exactly how much leeway are citizens given, by LEO's when the citizens are 'making way' for an ambulance. IE.. At luch at an intersection I was at, an ambulance came thru on the cross street, and due to the specific configuration of the intersection ( 6 way stop ).. a couple guys had to move thru the intersection on a red light, and another 2 guys had to drive right/left ( one each way ) to make way.. this placed the 2nd 2 guys in a traffic lane facing the wrong direction, and the other 2 guys.. thru the intersection on red.

It was safe and orderly.. everybody saw the ambulance.. people flashed headlamps.. and the people moved.. and the ambulance went thru... on green, it took a lil bit for the people to fall back in and clear the respective places they had pulled to.. and then, assumably.. life went on as normal.. yada..yada.. yada..

So what's LEO protocall here? We all know you must yeild ROW to an emergency vehicle.. but in a case where it would otherwise place you in a traffic infraction.. I assume this is specifically addressed under some state statuate.. or other place?

Comments?

soundguy

 

[chrpmaster]

My comment is what is a "LEO"?

Andy

 

[Soundguy]

I thought it went without sayiong.. but

Law
Enforcement
Officer

L.E.O.

soundguy

 

[Gator6x4]

I have never heard of a L.E.O. writing a citation because someone moved through an intersection to provide a travel lane for an emergency vehicle. The motorist who does move out of the way should not assume because his/she is moving for an emergency vehicle that they can pull into the intersection, cause a wreck and be immune from a citation. Ambulance Drivers, Law Enforcement Officers and Firemen have to insure when entering an intersection they can do so safely. When they fail to do so they are issued citations. As to a written law or statute I am unaware of one. Some states may have one.

Addendum:

Most states do have a statute that states when the driver of an emergency vehicle is using emergency lights and sirens to obtain the right of way they must do so in a safe and prudent manner and not cause property damage or injury to the motoring public.

 

[Soundguy]

The motorist who does move out of the way should not assume because his/she is moving for an emergency vehicle that they can pull into the intersection, cause a wreck and be immune from a citation. .

Not what I was saying.. etc.

soundguy

 

[Lil_FarmerJim]

My best answer for you would be, it depends on your state and local laws and how much of a problem you cause in giving way to the emergency vehicle.

Even when running with lights and sirens emergency vehicles are still required to obey traffic control, so they as well as you (the motorist) should obey all applicable laws in making way. Failure to do so can result in a citation. In PA ambulances are not given cart-blance to break traffic laws to get to where they're going. They are required to obey all posted signs and highway regs. This is for the safety of the patient as well as the crew and motoring public.

So going the wrong way down a one way street to get out of the way could still get you a citation.

Now having said all that, not to many guys will give you a ticket for getting out of the way of an emergency responder, unless of course you cause an accident in doing it.

HTH,

 

[Mattlt]

Sounds like that intersection needs Opti-coms! (They're the devices that turn the light green for the oncoming emergency vehicle.)

Anyway, my opinion is if you had to pull through the intersection or whatever to get out of the way on an emergency vehicle, and an officer actually had the seeds to write you up, there wouldn't be a court in the land that would find you guilty. At least that's how I would HOPE it would work.

I believe most state laws state that emergency vehicles, traveling with lights and siren, are only ASKING for the right of way. Reds and sirens do not ENTITLE the driver to the right of way.

 

[rback33]

I can't answer the questions specifically, but will share my opinion and will try and corner one of my LEO friends tonight after work. I know in Kansas that emergency vehicles can legally drive 10 MPH over the limit and must exercise the proper amount of caution at intersections. The SHOULD stop at a red light and proceed only if it is clear to do so. Again... I will ask the actual legal question to a cop friend though.

 

[SnowRidge]

I believe most state laws state that emergency vehicles, traveling with lights and siren, are only ASKING for the right of way. Reds and sirens do not ENTITLE the driver to the right of way.

Can I quote you on that if ever get stopped for failing to yield the right of way to an emergency vehicle? PM me with your full name and address.

 

[Beavis]

Kansas Statute 8-1530. Duty of driver upon approach of authorized emergency vehicle.

(a) Upon the immediate approach of an authorized emergency vehicle making use of an audible signal meeting the requirements of subsection (d) of K.S.A. 8-1738, and amendments thereto, and visual signals meeting the requirements of K.S.A. 8-1720, and amendments thereto, or of a police vehicle properly and lawfully making use of an audible signal only, the driver of every other vehicle shall do the following unless otherwise directed by a police officer:
(1) Yield the right-of-way;
(2) immediately drive to a position parallel to and as close as possible to the right-hand edge or curb of the roadway clear of any intersection; and
(3) stop and remain in such position until the authorized emergency vehicle has passed.
(b) The driver of a motor vehicle upon approaching a stationary authorized emergency vehicle, when the authorized emergency vehicle is making use of visual signals meeting the requirements of K.S.A. 8-1720, and amendments thereto, or subsection (d) of K.S.A. 8-1722, and amendments thereto, shall do either of the following:
(1) If the driver of the motor vehicle is traveling on a highway that consists of at least two lanes that carry traffic in the same direction of travel as that of the driver's motor vehicle, the driver shall proceed with due caution and, if possible and with due regard to the road, weather and traffic conditions, shall change lanes into a lane that is not adjacent to that of the stationary authorized emergency vehicle; or
(2) if the driver is not traveling on a highway of a type described in paragraph (1), or if the driver is traveling on a highway of that type but it is not possible to change lanes or if to do so would be unsafe, the driver shall proceed with due caution, reduce the speed of the motor vehicle and maintain a safe speed for the road, weather and traffic conditions.
(c) From and after the effective date of this act and prior to July 1, 2001, a law enforcement officer shall issue a warning citation to anyone violating the provisions of subsection (b).
(d) This section shall not operate to relieve the driver of an authorized emergency vehicle from the duty to drive with due regard for the safety of all persons using the highway.