Pull Over to the Right

Tis the season to be Christmas shopping and more people in the malls or shops means more vehicles on city streets. You’ve probably noticed that streets are congested with more traffic. Certainly everyone is reducing their speed due to ice and snow, but more traffic and the hustle of Christmas shopping can make emergency driving difficult for emergency vehicles, such as ambulances.

“Don’t forget the basic rules of the road during the holiday season. “ “People need to be reminded that when approached by any emergency vehicle from the rear, such as an ambulance, which is displaying their red lights and sirens, you need to pull safely and quickly to the right to allow that ambulance to pass.” Your quick response means precious minutes to someone who awaiting that urgent medical assistance.

Winter weather means we are more apt to have the windows rolled up tight and radio playing, with extra people or parcels in the vehicle motorists just aren’t as observant.

• Leave your window open a bit so you can hear the outside noise;
• Keep windows clear of ice and snow so that your visibility is not impaired;
• Ensure that your windshield wipers work effectively to clear the ice and snow
• Slow down on icy streets and give yourself plenty of stopping distance
• Watch for pedestrians, who like holiday drivers, might cross between parked cars or against the do not walk sign.
• If approached by an emergency vehicle from the rear, pull to the right, or pull safely through an intersection to create the opening for the emergency vehicles. Remember your cooperation may mean the difference to someone’s life.
• On highways, don’t keep the cruise on, slow down and watch for ice and snow on highway shoulders to give emergency vehicles plenty of room to pass.