Another annoying drivers rant

Spudz27 · 12-06-2010, 11:35 PM

Well after doing 3 priority 1's last night I was appalled and very angry at drivers. It was night so my lights were easily visible, yet no one get's out of the way. I am leaving the depo with the lights on and I am waiting as 4 cars continue to drive stopping me from leaving. It is not like I was pulling on to a main road, and even then they were the only 4 cars in the area. Then with sirens blaring I had to stop at a roundabout to wait for more rude bastards, then same deal at a T-Junction. I had to wait for traffic, then as I began to slowly inch by inch move out, cars just went wide around me. WTF. To top it off I am curtious and I continuously flash the highbeams at least 200m before approaching a vehicle. Yet people continue driving. Last night I was just so annoyed and continue to be highly annoyed at the selfishness of drivers out there. I may not be doing 100km/h as people think (I only ever drive to the conditions or 20km over the posted limit, except on the open road where I go no faster than 120) Please people if you see us, hear us get out of the way, after all we are responding to an emergency. I am sure if it was your family/friends you would want us to get there ASAP.

fiery · 13-06-2010, 12:09 AM

It is incredible how some people will basically ignore emergency vehicles but are the first ones to bag all you guys out if it takes a little while for you to get to them when they want you..

Annoys me seeing people blatantly do this.. and yep, have been known to yell at morons not getting out the way.

I personally think these people should be able to be photographed somehow (automatic type machine on emergency vehicles or something) and fined.. start seriously fining people and they will learn.

dave289 · 13-06-2010, 07:23 AM

They should have a camera and film all these morans so they can go back later and fine all them for obstructing emergency vehicles. The result of people not knowing the australian way I suppose.

GK · 13-06-2010, 08:01 AM

I absolutely agree that it must be highly frustrating for drivers of emergency vehicles when people are too lazy to get out of the way. Beggars belief!

GK

InfernoSR · 13-06-2010, 11:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fiery

I personally think these people should be able to be photographed somehow (automatic type machine on emergency vehicles or something) and fined.. start seriously fining people and they will learn.

now thats some revenue raising that i totally agree with! have friends within the emergency services area, and i actively try and teach my scouts what to do around them...

GoldCoastGTP · 13-06-2010, 08:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by EDfutura25

Well after doing 3 priority 1's last night I was appalled and very angry at drivers. It was night so my lights were easily visible, yet no one get's out of the way. I am leaving the depo with the lights on and I am waiting as 4 cars continue to drive stopping me from leaving. It is not like I was pulling on to a main road, and even then they were the only 4 cars in the area. Then with sirens blaring I had to stop at a roundabout to wait for more rude bastards, then same deal at a T-Junction. I had to wait for traffic, then as I began to slowly inch by inch move out, cars just went wide around me. WTF. To top it off I am curtious and I continuously flash the highbeams at least 200m before approaching a vehicle. Yet people continue driving. Last night I was just so annoyed and continue to be highly annoyed at the selfishness of drivers out there. I may not be doing 100km/h as people think (I only ever drive to the conditions or 20km over the posted limit, except on the open road where I go no faster than 120) Please people if you see us, hear us get out of the way, after all we are responding to an emergency. I am sure if it was your family/friends you would want us to get there ASAP.

Welcome to the world of stupid or panicky drivers - I actually think it is getting worse and in my obs it is not the old or the young ones they get out of the way pronto it is the middle age women 30 - 50 who do not care they will stare at the road ahead use no mirrors or a plain deaf

Quote:

Originally Posted by dave289

They should have a camera and film all these morans so they can go back later and fine all them for obstructing emergency vehicles. The result of people not knowing the australian way I suppose.

In some traffic cars there is but it can not be used for that - it really should be

GS608 · 13-06-2010, 08:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GoldCoastGTP

Welcome to the world of stupid or panicky drivers - I actually think it is getting worse and in my obs it is not the old or the young ones they get out of the way pronto it is the middle age women 30 - 50 who do not care they will stare at the road ahead use no mirrors or a plain deaf

I'm with you there, I watched as a middle aged woman cut off a fire truck on priority at a round about, didn't even look, just trundled around drinking her coffee, blokes in the truck were very obviously annoyed, they had started to enter and had to slam on their brakes.

Jason[98.EL] · 13-06-2010, 08:47 AM

They should do like they have done here in Geelong

The main ambo station in the city has a set of traffic lights that is actavated as soon as a priority one call is announced from memory it also has a red light camera on it.

I to think people should start getting fined for not giving way to emergancy vehicles

Jason

OLDFORDNUT · 13-06-2010, 08:52 AM

i always give way and everyone else seems to too,it must be a city problem,and im in Hervey Bay where the Elderly dont like letting trucks back into lanes and cross main roads without looking,yet they seem to give way to emergency vehicles without a moments thought.

Road_Warrior · 13-06-2010, 11:17 AM

Its not drivers its people's ignorance and arrogance in general...I remember watching an ambulance driving up St Georges Tce in Perth with its party lights and siren on and it was trying to get through a pedestrian crossing...do you think people would stop crossing to let it through...no...people just kept on walking out in front of it like it wasn't even there.

Kryton · 13-06-2010, 12:02 PM

Just start driving like this - people will soon get the message:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a_kF1JBiVpQ

3vXT · 14-06-2010, 10:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by davway

Just start driving like this - people will soon get the message:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a_kF1JBiVpQ

Someone needs to dub the 'america, f##k yeah!' song from Team America over that.

Halfmo Rocks · 16-06-2010, 12:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ken2903

Someone needs to dub the 'america, f##k yeah!' song from Team America over that.

bloody oath, good call.

i saw one the other day, fire engine had to force it's way though intersection as no-one stopped to let it thorugh, then a tool in a honda cut though behind it...completely oblivious to the second fire engine right behind the first. don't know if the firey's collected the honda...but i hope it scared him seriously at least

SDKC · 16-06-2010, 10:43 AM

I have a question for all of you that drive Ambulances and Fire Trucks.

Do you do any extra driver training for urgent duty driving or do they just hand you the keys and tell you there's the lights and siren, go nuts?

I have seen some ambos do some interesting things trying to get through traffic.

pauljh74 · 16-06-2010, 01:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SDKC

I have a question for all of you that drive Ambulances and Fire Trucks.

Do you do any extra driver training for urgent duty driving or do they just hand you the keys and tell you there's the lights and siren, go nuts?

I have seen some ambos do some interesting things trying to get through traffic.

My mate who is a paramedic had some advanced driving training as part of the job training.

geckoGT · 16-06-2010, 04:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SDKC

I have a question for all of you that drive Ambulances and Fire Trucks.

Do you do any extra driver training for urgent duty driving or do they just hand you the keys and tell you there's the lights and siren, go nuts?

I have seen some ambos do some interesting things trying to get through traffic.

Yes we do.

In Queensland we have to a week long training course in driving in both code 2 (normal road speed) and code 1 (lights and sirens) which has an assessment throughout the course and has to be passed before we are allowed on road. In addition, once on road we are assessed by the qualified paramedic that we are working with and have to be signed off after 6 months before we are credited with the subjects of operating of emergency vehicles in urgent and non urgent conditions.

We are also scrutinised continuously and any complaints from other road users, all speed camera, all red light camera and any crashes are strenuously investigated (I am investigating one at the moment). Any such investigations that bring the driver ability into question may be referred to the driver review panel for either counseling of the person, re-training or dismissal from the service.

So yes, we have to go through a lot more checks than just chucking us the keys and saying go for it. Yes I have seen some ambo's doing some crazy things (unfortunately we do have some that make mistakes) but I see more general motorists do more crazier things more frequently.

Our actual crash rate is a lot lower than the general public, impressive when you think about how many kilometers we all drive and in the conditions in which we drive. Having said that, I expect that from my crews, we are professionals and anything less than that is unacceptable.

Brent · 15-06-2010, 05:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by davway

Just start driving like this - people will soon get the message:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a_kF1JBiVpQ

Hmmmm. I know you don't want to be a sitting duck in traffic for some dude with an RPG, but geez, its hardly endearing yourself to the local populace is it? What was the saying about half the war being to win over the hearts and minds of the locals?

Sorry, thread drift over.......

Riksta · 13-06-2010, 12:04 PM

Appalling stories of disrespect towards our emergency services in here.

I have a mate who is an Ambulance Officer here in SA, was talking to him just a couple of weeks back, and apparently if cars fail to move for them or block them or whatever, they can take down their number plates and report them and they get a fine in the mail.

I'm always more than willing to get out of the way for an ambo/firey/police when their lights are flashing and sirens going. Even ran a red for one once, in the turning lane, saw it coming up behind me, lucky the cars coming the other way who had the green saw it, they saw me flashing my headlights like mad, and stopped to let me and the ambulance behind me around. Only situation I would ever deliberately run a red for.

SVTVNM · 13-06-2010, 12:54 PM

It' amazing i think how many people dont do mirror checks in traffic or as suggested are just plain arrogant, I;m yet to not notice an emergency services vehicle approaching from behind with lights going.

pauljh74 · 13-06-2010, 09:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Riksta

I have a mate who is an Ambulance Officer here in SA, was talking to him just a couple of weeks back, and apparently if cars fail to move for them or block them or whatever, they can take down their number plates and report them and they get a fine in the mail.

I thought they could already do that anyway in most/all states. I think the emergency vehicle crew would need a pretty big notepad to write them all down - each day.

geckoGT · 15-06-2010, 09:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Riksta

Appalling stories of disrespect towards our emergency services in here.

I have a mate who is an Ambulance Officer here in SA, was talking to him just a couple of weeks back, and apparently if cars fail to move for them or block them or whatever, they can take down their number plates and report them and they get a fine in the mail.

I'm always more than willing to get out of the way for an ambo/firey/police when their lights are flashing and sirens going. Even ran a red for one once, in the turning lane, saw it coming up behind me, lucky the cars coming the other way who had the green saw it, they saw me flashing my headlights like mad, and stopped to let me and the ambulance behind me around. Only situation I would ever deliberately run a red for.

We can do the same thing but it involves writing a written statement outlining all the details (this can be done in email) for the police and then they action it. If the driver challenges it we have to be willing to appear in court.

This is a lot of work and to be honest, because it happens 20-30 times a shift we do not bother. It is only on the really severe instances that we do anything (I have a couple of times).

I just hope those that do not get out of the way sleep really well. Yes they might only hold us up by 30 seconds, but once 10 people have done that on one code 1 response, that is 5 minutes extra that person is not breathing. To find out what that is like, place a plastic bag over your head for 5 minutes.

Quote:

Sorry to go off topic a bit but I read another topic on emergency vehicles on here a fair while ago and it was said (by someone who drives an emergency vehicle as far as I know) that if stopped at a red light and emergency vehicle comes up behind you not to proceed through the red light. It made sense how it was explained ..being that if an accident occurs by going through the red they are obligated to stop for your situation and the actual emergency is delayed. I understood you should just wait until green light and then attempt to pull over to the left as quickly as possible to get out of the way.

This actually occurred to me last week though and they went nuts beeping and headlight flashing the car next to me forcing them to proceed through the red light at a major intersection fairly close to the CBD in Brisbane. What are you actually meant to do at a intersection with a red light if you have an emergency vehicle behind you?

That was probably me, yes I am on the job, a Paramedic in Brisbane and currently a Officer-In-Charge of a station.

Feathers · 13-06-2010, 01:17 PM

I always move for them when I see/hear them, but sometimes in the bus, with 60 loud kids - some with music going, I cannot hear them until they are right on top of me, especially coming out of a side street or intersection.

Had a couple of close calls with police cars mainly.

Rodp · 13-06-2010, 03:03 PM

I'd be all for infringements handed out to those that don't give way to an emergency vehicle when permitted. Cameras mounted in emergency vehicles would likely make motorists take heed to lights and sirens or cop the penalty if they don't.

Remember, could be one of your loved ones that an emergency vehicle is responding to.

gocruzin · 13-06-2010, 08:31 PM

Here in vic drivers are the most arrogant and ignorant that they have been in ten years, and it will only get worse.
I absolutely hate driving in melbourne, it seems the only people that receive courtesy on the roads here are the cops for obvious reasons.
There needs to be some sort of punishment fo that kind of disrespect.

Spudz27 · 13-06-2010, 09:29 PM

It is hard to get rego's. I was too busy driving, meaning watching every bit of road, driveway and footpath and the paramedic with me was too busy looking at the map. This particular job was 50k out of town.

platinumXR · 13-06-2010, 09:32 PM

ALERT = Cloaking Device

BA Baracus · 13-06-2010, 09:54 PM

Sorry to go off topic a bit but I read another topic on emergency vehicles on here a fair while ago and it was said (by someone who drives an emergency vehicle as far as I know) that if stopped at a red light and emergency vehicle comes up behind you not to proceed through the red light. It made sense how it was explained ..being that if an accident occurs by going through the red they are obligated to stop for your situation and the actual emergency is delayed. I understood you should just wait until green light and then attempt to pull over to the left as quickly as possible to get out of the way.

This actually occurred to me last week though and they went nuts beeping and headlight flashing the car next to me forcing them to proceed through the red light at a major intersection fairly close to the CBD in Brisbane. What are you actually meant to do at a intersection with a red light if you have an emergency vehicle behind you?

Auturbo6 · 13-06-2010, 10:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BA Baracus

Sorry to go off topic a bit but I read another topic on emergency vehicles on here a fair while ago and it was said (by someone who drives an emergency vehicle as far as I know) that if stopped at a red light and emergency vehicle comes up behind you not to proceed through the red light. It made sense how it was explained ..being that if an accident occurs by going through the red they are obligated to stop for your situation and the actual emergency is delayed. I understood you should just wait until green light and then attempt to pull over to the left as quickly as possible to get out of the way.

This actually occurred to me last week though and they went nuts beeping and headlight flashing the car next to me forcing them to proceed through the red light at a major intersection fairly close to the CBD in Brisbane. What are you actually meant to do at a intersection with a red light if you have an emergency vehicle behind you?

U should of been watching the rear mirror well before u stoped at the lights and got ure vehicle into a position where u wern't in the ambulances way....
Full stop the end......

fiery · 13-06-2010, 10:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Auturbo6

U should of been watching the rear mirror well before u stoped at the lights and got ure vehicle into a position where u wern't in the ambulances way....
Full stop the end......

That can not always happen especially if you are already sitting at ridiculously long red lights (as some are up here) and an ambulance comes belting down with lights and sirens blaring. Not all emergency vehicles are on the road just because they have been called to an emergency, sometimes they are driving back from a job or whatever and they get the call. On go lights and sirens and no moving can happen easily..
Not sure if I explained what I am meaning correctly, sorry if I haven't

BA Baracus · 13-06-2010, 10:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Auturbo6

U should of been watching the rear mirror well before u stoped at the lights and got ure vehicle into a position where u wern't in the ambulances way....
Full stop the end......

No mate it was not an option on that stretch of road at all I am sorry , and I wasn't the car in the way. Settle down lad.