Yielding to an Emergency Vehicle
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I have received a number of e-mails from readers following the column on B.C.'s new Slow Down, Move Over law. They are concerned that some people are taking this to mean that they don't have to pull over and stop on the approach of an emergency vehicle anymore. People that they have spoken with think that it is now acceptable to slow down, move over and let the emergency vehicle pass them by. This is not correct!
I was recently told a story by driver who stopped at an intersection and when checking for cross traffic was surprised to find a truck laying on the drivers side a short distance away. This driver assessed the situation and concluded that it had happened within the last few moments, a number of people had stopped to help and it appeared that the driver was out and shaken but unhurt. He turned right and drove away from the scene.
Question: At all hours of the day or night emergency vehicles will use their sirens. I live in a small quiet suburb and it is not fun being awakened at 3 or 4 in the morning because of this. I can appreciate what these folks have to contend with as far as dumb drivers are concerned but in the early hours of the morning when there are no cars they should not use their sirens.
I wonder if you would mind commenting on stopping at the side of the road to allow emergency vehicles to pass? So many times when I pull off to the edge of the road and stop, people either don't pull off or else they just pull onto the shoulder and travel at a low rate of speed.