ambulance right of way at intersection?

Steven Carter · **Posted:** Tue Sep 20, 2016 4:12 pm

So the wife was driving around today and was stopped at a major intersection in the right hand of two left-hand turn lanes. Multiple other cars at intersection in the other through and turn lanes, she happens to be first in line. All cars in her direction are stopped while cross traffic cycles through. Ambulance comes up behind the her and other vehicles intent on making a left hand turn. She tries to move out of the way as much as she can, which isn't a lot given the other cars in close proximity and her not wanting to enter the intersection while she had a red light. The car next to her in the other left hand turn lane did not move at all. Ambulance co-driver yelled at her and flicked her off as they went by.

What is the deal with yielding RoW to EMS/fire at intersections? I know about the rules regarding yielding while moving (move to the right for lights, etc) but should she have endangered herself by entering the intersection against a red light to yield to EMS? My gut says "do the best you can, but don't put yourself in harm's way" but I can't verify.

Aaron Buckley · **Posted:** Tue Sep 20, 2016 4:25 pm

Steven Carter wrote:

So the wife was driving around today and was stopped at a major intersection in the right hand of two left-hand turn lanes. Multiple other cars at intersection in the other through and turn lanes, she happens to be first in line. All cars in her direction are stopped while cross traffic cycles through. Ambulance comes up behind the her and other vehicles intent on making a left hand turn. She tries to move out of the way as much as she can, which isn't a lot given the other cars in close proximity and her not wanting to enter the intersection while she had a red light. The car next to her in the other left hand turn lane did not move at all. Ambulance co-driver yelled at her and flicked her off as they went by.

What is the deal with yielding RoW to EMS/fire at intersections? I know about the rules regarding yielding while moving (move to the right for lights, etc) but should she have endangered herself by entering the intersection against a red light to yield to EMS? My gut says "do the best you can, but don't put yourself in harm's way" but I can't verify.

I think your gut is right. Sounds like the EMT's were having a bad day. They are usually pretty happy for you to just sit where you are and let them maneuver around you if that is possible. Tell her the guy was a jerk and to keep doing what feels right. - AB

Vincent Keene · **Posted:** Tue Sep 20, 2016 4:30 pm

Aaron Buckley wrote:

They are usually pretty happy for you to just sit where you are and let them maneuver around you if that is possible.

In a situation like your wife's, from what I have been told, Aaron is correct. They would rather you stay still so they don't have to predict your movements. Of course the number of those who can move out of their way, but don't, is just astounding to me.

RodneyWright · **Posted:** Tue Sep 20, 2016 5:21 pm

subscribed, I've wondered this myself. If you've effectively blocked an emergency vehicle, I assume you need to move to allow it to get on it's way. From that point you've put yourself in an awkward situation in regard to traffic. Do you just sit or do you follow the emergency vehicle out of the intersection?

BretLuter · **Posted:** Tue Sep 20, 2016 5:44 pm

I agree that she did the right thing, maybe the driver was directing his anger towards someone else... I know that emergency vehicle drivers would rather you stay put vs. make an unpredictable movement as they are trying to get thru an intersection.

Here's the NC Statute, not exactly clear what should be done in this case after reading this.

http://www.ncleg.net/EnactedLegislation ... 0-157.html

RickyBeam · **Posted:** Tue Sep 20, 2016 11:50 pm

BretLuter wrote:

Here's the NC Statute, not exactly clear what should be done in this case after reading this.

Actually, it's very clear... "the driver of every other vehicle shall immediately drive the same to a position as near as possible and parallel to the right-hand edge or curb, clear of any intersection of streets or highways, and shall stop and remain in such position unless otherwise directed"... Get as far right as you can without blocking the intersection, stop, and remain stopped. Just like being on track, you need to be a predictable object; if you're moving, you aren't predictable.

Steven Carter · **Posted:** Wed Sep 21, 2016 8:39 am

Right. I told her if she moved forward she would not be clear if the intersection and that progressing through the intersection against the red light was both dangerous and illegal. Being that she was blocked on all sides by other stopped cars what she did was fine.

JamesMilko · **Posted:** Wed Sep 21, 2016 2:46 pm

I can't speak to NC law, but in NJ if you come to an intersection and you are unable to make it to the actual intersection due to cars waiting for the light you are to kill the siren and wait until the light turns green. When the light turns green people can then move through. If you push people through an intersection you will be followed to the hospital and ticketed.

If she knows what agency it was, she should call and complain. The driver needs to retake CEVO.

Vincent Keene · **Posted:** Wed Sep 21, 2016 3:27 pm

JamesMilko wrote:

...in NJ if you come to an intersection and you are unable to make it to the actual intersection due to cars waiting for the light you are to kill the siren and wait until the light turns green.

Remind me not to take an ambulance in NJ if they wait for all the lights to change.

JamesMilko · **Posted:** Wed Sep 21, 2016 3:55 pm

If the option is to cause people to drive over the curb, or cause people to drive into the intersection you're to wait. The driver of the ambulance is at fault if someone drives into the intersection and gets t-boned.

RobLupella · **Posted:** Wed Sep 21, 2016 8:56 pm

Yep, she had nowhere safe to go and so she remained a predictable vehicle. I saw an ambulance at a light on Western this morning trying to weave through traffic and got to the red light and couldnt move. He waited for the light

I think the NJ law makes sense. There are medical personnel in the ambulance after all. In NJ they probably have to have a higher level of medical personnel due to bridge closures and stuff

BretLuter · **Posted:** Wed Sep 21, 2016 9:20 pm

RickyBeam wrote:

BretLuter wrote:

Here's the NC Statute, not exactly clear what should be done in this case after reading this.

Actually, it's very clear... "the driver of every other vehicle shall immediately drive the same to a position as near as possible and parallel to the right-hand edge or curb, clear of any intersection of streets or highways, and shall stop and remain in such position unless otherwise directed"... Get as far right as you can without blocking the intersection, stop, and remain stopped. Just like being on track, you need to be a predictable object; if you're moving, you aren't predictable.

So if you're in one of 2 left turn lanes, assuming there are at least 2 other thru lanes, and possibly a right turn lane, how the hell are you supposed to get over to the right side of the road without blowing thru the red light?

The text may be clear, but doesn't work very well in real world situations like this.

RickyBeam · **Posted:** Wed Sep 21, 2016 9:58 pm

BretLuter wrote:

The text may be clear, but doesn't work very well in real world situations like this.

If you cannot safely (and legally) move out of the way, then you don't. In general, if you are already stopped, just stay there(*). If you are second guessing, how's EMS going to know what you're going to do?

(* Until the light goes green and you can legally clear the intersection. Then you turn and get right to allow them to pass should they be turning as well.)

BretLuter · **Posted:** Wed Sep 21, 2016 10:49 pm

RickyBeam wrote:

BretLuter wrote:

The text may be clear, but doesn't work very well in real world situations like this.

If you cannot safely (and legally) move out of the way, then you don't. In general, if you are already stopped, just stay there(*). If you are second guessing, how's EMS going to know what you're going to do?

(* Until the light goes green and you can legally clear the intersection. Then you turn and get right to allow them to pass should they be turning as well.)

I'm agreeing with you that that's what SHOULD be done. I just don't see it written in the statute that way.

JamesMilko · **Posted:** Thu Sep 22, 2016 7:07 pm

The NJ law is written much better.

Quote:

39:4-91. a. The driver of a vehicle upon a highway shall yield the right of way to any authorized emergency vehicle when it is operated on official business, or in the exercise of the driver's profession or calling, in response to an emergency call or in the pursuit of an actual or suspected violator of the law and when an audible signal by bell, siren, exhaust whistle or other means is sounded from the authorized emergency vehicle and when the authorized emergency vehicle, except a police vehicle, is equipped with at least one lighted lamp displaying a red light visible under normal atmospheric conditions from a distance of at least five hundred feet to the front of the vehicle.

b. This section shall not relieve the driver of any authorized emergency vehicle from the duty to drive with due regard for the safety of all persons, nor shall it protect the driver from the consequences of his reckless disregard for the safety of others. Nothing in this section shall be construed to limit any immunity or defense otherwise provided by law.

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