Unit 8: Law, Courts, and Procedure

Other Emergency Response

Caution and good driving ability are more important than blue lights and siren, because people with stereos and air-conditioners cranked and holding a conversation may not see or hear your cruiser approaching until you are right on top of them, and then may do something foolish, like stopping dead in front of you.

Use your emergency warning devices, and drive as though people will not see and hear them. If you have wig-wag headlights, use them, because they are often seen before anyone sees the blue lights or hears the siren. Even atmospheric conditions can affect peoples’ ability to hear your siren. On a clear day, the sound will dissipate upward rapidly. On a foggy day, sound will be blocked from traveling long distances. Heavy traffic will obliterate the sound of the siren, as will trees and shrubbery. A drinking driver, an ill or inattentive driver, or one with distractions such as children inside the vehicle, may not see or hear your approach at all.

As your vehicle speed increases, the effectiveness in terms of advance warning of your siren and lights diminishes, due to the same “Doppler effect” that makes your radar work. As your vehicle speed increases, your chances of having an accident also increase, as your safety cushion of space decreases and your time for decision-making decreases. The adrenaline will be flowing, your heart will be pounding, but your head must remain cool. Don’t get caught up in the stress of the moment.

Diminish your vehicle speed as you enter intersections; look in all directions. Your observation of cross streets must begin before you enter the intersection. Look for pedestrians as well as other vehicles. Beware of other emergency vehicles approaching from a side street, their sirens may drown out your own and prevent you from spotting each other.

Pass vehicles on the left, not the right. Motorists will be pulling over to the right when they spot you approaching.

When responding, plan your route of travel to avoid detours and other hazards if possible. Use your radio, stay calm, let people know where you are. Don’t drive beyond the capabilities of your vehicle and yourself. Remember the siren also generates excitement in YOU, and tunnel vision develops at high speeds. Judgment of speed is clouded due to the elimination of engine, wind and road noise by the siren.

You are only justified in driving at greater than the speed limit on a BONA FIDE emergency call. A fender-bender accident where the vehicles are not blocking the road and nobody is injured is not a true emergency, and if you have an accident while driving Code 3 to such a call, you will be liable!

You should avoid escorting other emergency vehicles, because they have their own emergency warning devices and the presence of two speeding emergency vehicles only doubles the danger to the public. You should also avoid escorting people in their own cars at high speeds. Private cars do not have emergency warning devices, and you do not know the capability of the driver who is trying to follow you. With good defensive driving on routine occasions, and safe and sane, cool-headed common sense applied to your emergency runs, both you and the public will be safer.