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Why Are We
Here ?
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DUE REGARD
A reasonably careful person performing
the similar duties and under similar
circumstances would act in the same manner
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The Problem
Emergency vehicles involved in
rear end collisions account for 15%
of frequency of accidents
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Following Distance
The measure of the area of constant clear
space between two moving vehicles
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Inadequate following distance….
 Reduces other driver’s reaction time
Reduces vehicle operator’s reaction
time and stopping time
Makes warning lights ineffective
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Inadequate following distance….
Limits escape route options
Limits field of vision
Causes emergency vehicles to
become hidden in blind spots of
motor vehicle operators
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RATE OF CLOSURE
The measure of diminishing time and
clear space between a vehicle in motion
and either a stopped vehicle or a slower
moving vehicle
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Rate of closure is also the measure of
diminishing time and clear space
between two oncoming vehicles
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Unsafe rate of closure:
Causes other drivers to be caught
off guard and panic
Reduces your ability to react due to
decrease of space and time between objects
Limits the effectiveness of your
vehicle’s warning devices
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Unsafe rate of closure:
Is not dependent upon excessive speed
Startles drivers, causing rushed or
unpredictable maneuvers
Reduces the number of emergency
vehicle operator options
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Unsafe rate of closure:
Forces stopped vehicles to jam
intersections and force the public
into driving situations that they are
not able to comprehend
Greatly increases the risk of being
involved in an accident
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Michigan: Mobile Medical Response faces one
count of negligent homicide for their role in a
July 1999 ambulance crash in which she allegedly
ran a stop sign during a non-emergency transport
and killed a motorist
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If a civilian vehicle fails to
give right of way
You don’t have it
You can’t force it
You can not assume it
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The Problem:
Civilian vehicles not able
to yield right of way
Civilian vehicles not willing
to yield right of way
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Reasons Civilian Vehicles Not Able
or Unwilling to Yield to
Emergency Vehicles:
Emergency vehicle operator does not
allow civilian vehicle to safely yield
right-of-way
Civilian drivers may not understand
motor vehicle laws in the state and
therefore, they would not be able to
yield the right-of-way
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Reasons Civilian Vehicles Not Able
To or Unwilling to Yield to
Emergency Vehicles:
Lack of mental awareness of civilian
driver, therefore they are not
willing to yield right-of-way
Poor attitude of drivers and lack of
awareness, therefore they are not
willing to yield right-of-way
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Reasons Civilian Vehicles Not
Able To or Unwilling to Yield
to Emergency Vehicles:
Physical Obstructions of environment,
therefore they are not able to yield
right-of-way
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The Problem:
High Incidence of Intersection
Accidents
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GENERAL CONCERNS:
Intersections are the locations for the most
frequent and severe vehicle accidents due to:
Restricted visibility
Other drivers’ actions
Vehicle density
Over aggressiveness of the
emergency vehicle operator
21
Texas: A Medic One paramedic died and
another sustained serious injuries in Jan.
when their ambulance rear-ended an 18wheeler. Heavy fog limited visibility, and
the ambulance did not have its emergency
lights on. The paramedic who died was not
wearing a seatbelt.
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Intersection accidents are the result
of the following improper
Driving Strategies…..
 Emergency vehicle operators’ failure
to make sure intersection was clear
 Excessive Speed
 Not driving with “DUE REGARD”
 Poor defensive driving skills.
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 Emergency vehicle operators
assume that civilian drivers are
aware of their presence.
 Failure to anticipate obstacles
and potential obstacles moving
into your path of travel
 Lack of Awareness on the part
of the civilian driver
 Physical Obstructions.
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FACTORS CONTRIBUTING TO
INTERSECTION ACCIDENTS
Other Driver Error
84%
3%
13%
All other or
Unknown
Ambulance Driver
Error
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Results of Improper Emergency
Vehicle Driving Strategies:
 The public is Confused.
 High Speed limits evasive
maneuvers available to emergency
vehicle operator
 Reaction and stopping time reduced.
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Results of Improper Emergency
Vehicle Driving Strategies:
 Potential increased for :
Head-on collisions
Hitting/rear-ending stopped
vehicles
Broadsiding and/or sideswiping
vehicles
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ACCIDENT FREQUENCY
BY TYPE
38%
41%
15%
Rear-End
Lost Control
Intersections
All Others
6%
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ACCIDENT SEVERITY
BY TYPE
60%
Rear-End
Lost Control
Intersections
24%
10%
6%
All Other
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Special Precautions
To Use for All Intersections
 As you approach intersection, scan
potential path of travel for hazards.
At not less than 200 feet from
intersection activate “yelp”
mode of siren.
 Start slowing down at this time and
prepare to come to a complete stop
prior to entering intersection.
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Special Precautions
To Use for All Intersections
Avoid traveling in opposing traffic
lanes unless it is absolutely necessary.
Make sure opposing lane is clear
Proceed with caution
Pass one vehicle at a time
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Crossing on Uncontrolled or
Green traffic Signal
Position your vehicle in appropriate
lane for your path of travel
Scan your path of travel and observe
potential hazards
Adjust speed so that vehicle could be
brought to a stop and at not less than
200 ft prior to intersection, Activate
“yelp” mode
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Crossing on Uncontrolled or
Green Traffic Signal
While decreasing speed, observe all four
directions, establish eye contact with other
vehicles who may enter intersections.
Verify no other vehicles in the
intersection.
Proceed with caution through the
intersection.
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Crossing on Red Traffic Signal
Position your vehicle in appropriate
lane for your path of travel
Scan your path of travel and observe
potential hazards.
Slow down, cover brake pedal.
At no less than 200ft prior to reaching
intersection, activate yelp” mode
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Crossing on Red Traffic Signal
Come to a complete stop at intersection
Establish eye contact with other
vehicle drivers.
Have partner communicate “all is clear”
reconfirm all other vehicles are stopped.
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Crossing on Red Traffic Signal
Proceed one lane at a time
Use this procedure for each lane that
will be crossed.
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Making Right or Left Turns
Across Stopped Vehicles
Bring vehicle to a complete stop.
Use turn signals to communicate
direction you will be turning.
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Making Right or Left Turns
Across Stopped Vehicles
Driver or partner should establish eye
contact with side stopped vehicle and
should verbally communicate to each
other that turning path is clear.
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Making Right or Left Turns
Across Stopped Vehicles
Proceed with caution, checking the
stopped vehicles and the intersection
frequently to assure that it is still clear
and safe to proceed.
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THE PROBLEM:
Inadequate or improper use of red lights
and siren. Some examples of this are …...
Lights and siren used to clear intersections so emergency vehicle operator
does not stop.
Warning devices switched “on” and
“off” throughout emergency response
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Inadequate or improper use
of red lights and siren.
Utilizing warning lights during
non-emergency transports
Utilizing lights and siren to force civilian
vehicles through intersections.
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Role of red lights and siren:
REQUEST permission for the right-of-way
Notify the public of your presence.
Allow public to safely yield to
emergency vehicle
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Common civilian reactions
to lights and siren:
Panic
Confusion
Unaware of presence of emergency
vehicle
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Common reasons civilian drivers
ignore lights and siren:
Air Conditioners,
Heaters
Soundproof vehicles Cell Phones
Rolled-up windows. Loud Music
Verbal communication inside the vehicle
Hearing impaired drivers
Lack of Driver awareness
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TRUE EMERGENCY….
A SITUATION IN WHICH THERE
IS A HIGH PROBABILITY OF
DEATH OR SERIOUS INJURY TO
AN INDIVIDUAL, OR
SIGNIFICANT PROPERTY LOSS,
AND ACTION BY AN EMERGENCY
VEHICLE OPERATOR MAY REDUCE
THE SERIOUSNESS OF THE
SITUATION
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Proper use of Lights and Siren
in Emergency Mode
No vehicle should be operated in
emergency mode unless all warning
devices are fully operational
Only true emergencies should be
responded to using warning devices
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Proper use of Lights and Siren
in Emergency Mode
True emergencies will be responded to
with warning devices regardless of
time of day and conditions except where
warning devices could cause confusion
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THE PROBLEM
Lack of awareness by emergency vehicle
operator during emergency responses
CIGNA loss analysis indicates that 72%
of all accidents are a result of
driver error
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NYC: An ambulance en route to a
non-emergency call in Dec. ran a red light
and struck another car, killing a grandmother
and injuring her grandson. Although the
ambulance’s emergency sirens and lights
were on, the patient the ambulance was en route
to pick up was not in danger and lived
across the street from a hospital.
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Some examples of lack of emergency
vehicle operator awareness are :
Casual conversation during response
Horseplay/ jokes during emergency
response
Lack of routine planning
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Some examples of lack of emergency
vehicle operator awareness are :
Improper driving technique
Hand position on wheel
Seat and mirror adjustment.
No Seat belts
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BACKING
General considerations:
ALWAYS use a spotter if available
If you can avoid backing, Don’t !
Do not start to back up when you’re
unsure of the area
When parking, position you vehicle
so that you will not be required to
back up when leaving
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BACKING
General considerations:
Do not put the unit into reverse before
coming to a complete stop
Roll the window down completely
Make visual and verbal contact with
your spotter
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BACKING
If No Spotter is Available:
Reconsider backing up.
It it really necessary ?
Make a reasonable attempt to get
someone to act as a spotter
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BACKING
If a spotter can not be obtained, get
out and walk around the unit completely
and survey the backing area.
Be sure to check the overhead clearance
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