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Post by Sasquatch on May 21, 2007 18:23:41 GMT -5
I know the law is that we have to get over for emergency vehicles and be careful when we go by them on the road, etc, but I have a question about these emergency vehicles.... The other day I look up and there is a white vehicle with a flashing dashboard light behind me in the right lane, right on my butt. I about had a stroke because I thought I was being pulled over. I immediately moved into the breakdown lane, only to be passed by a filthy white SUV festooned with bumper stickers. An aftermarket flashing blue light was on the dashboard. There is no way this was any kind of official vehicle. The blue bandit pulled the same trick with several cars ahead of me, and veered wildly around a car in the intersection, exceeding the speed limit by at least 20 mph. I can only assume this was a volunteer fireman? ( DISCLAIMER: I LOVE VOLUNTEER FIREMEN. I'M A HUGE FAN OF PROFESSIONAL FIREMAN... I AM NOT BASHING OUR AX-WIELDING HEROS! MY UNCLE WAS A VOLUNTEER FIREMAN. YEE-HAW! GOD BLESS AMERICA!) My question: Does the get over law apply to non-official emergency vehicles? I can see extending all courtesy to any vehicles at a scene, and getting out of the way if possible. I don't think I should have to drive in the breakdown lane just so some guy with a blue light doesn't have to pass me. (I was going probably 60 in a 55). What are the rules on this?
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Post by allegiance on May 21, 2007 18:37:55 GMT -5
You technically do not have to get over for volunteer firemen with a blue light it is considered a courtesy to do so but it is not law. Even with the blue light on it does not give them the right to speed or drive eratically. They must obey all the rules of the road.
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Post by johnc911 on May 21, 2007 18:58:26 GMT -5
My guess is it was probably some young kid who is relatively new and was a little excited. I have a light on my car but very rarely use it. It is concealed behind the mirror. I do have to travel 2 miles of a two lane state rd to get to the fire station so sometimes i do have to use it but i try not to. Just for the reasons you stated above. It gives the guys a bad name to drive like idiots with blue lights on.
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Post by Sasquatch on May 21, 2007 19:10:49 GMT -5
I'm glad you got my drift johnc911. It was your post in the road rage thread that gave me the idea for this post, as it jogged my memory. I didn't want to hurt anyone's feelings by asking the question. You are 100% correct when you say such things give our volunteers a bad name. It's just like deer hunters; people can see 1000 hunters acting normally, but they only remember the one that shot the cow.
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Post by johnc911 on May 21, 2007 20:11:14 GMT -5
No feellings hurt at all. If it is a kid hurt or cardiac arrest i step it up a little.
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Post by cambygsp on May 21, 2007 20:22:26 GMT -5
No feellings hurt at all. If it is a kid hurt or cardiac arrest i step it up a little. Yep....on fires, if it was burning when they called, it will be burning when you get there! If I'm not mistaken a blue light on a Vol.Fireman's car has to be visible 360 degrees, so if the guys just running a blue light on the dash board he is illegal.
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Post by Old Ironsights on May 21, 2007 20:35:20 GMT -5
Regardless - if somthing seems fishy, take a Plate. If the guy's legit, no harm. If he's a skunk, he gets whomped.
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Post by johnc911 on May 22, 2007 4:31:58 GMT -5
No feellings hurt at all. If it is a kid hurt or cardiac arrest i step it up a little. Yep....on fires, if it was burning when they called, it will be burning when you get there! If I'm not mistaken a blue light on a Vol.Fireman's car has to be visible 360 degrees, so if the guys just running a blue light on the dash board he is illegal. That rule has now changed Kevin strobes in the dash is fine and wig wags on the head lights are also legal.
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Post by cambygsp on May 22, 2007 4:41:41 GMT -5
Really?.....It's been about 10 years since I have been active. The law back then was it had to be seen 360 degrees.
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Post by drgreyhound on May 22, 2007 20:22:57 GMT -5
Regardless - if somthing seems fishy, take a Plate. If the guy's legit, no harm. If he's a skunk, he gets whomped. Yep!!!
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Post by danf on May 22, 2007 22:00:43 GMT -5
Yep, 360 degrees was what it used to be. I knew that had been changed though.
However, I thought when the 360 degree requirement was changed, so was the wording to the rule/law/statute on motorists getting over, and blue-light equipped vehicles were supposed to be given the right-of-way? I'm pretty sure it was being discussed 5-6 years ago when I left the department...
BTW- You *must* get out of the way for the red's and the greens (EMT's).
Henderson- just so you know, by state law, the fire department chief must relieve any volly firefighter from duty if they get a speeding ticket while responding to a call with the light on.
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Post by DEERTRACKS on May 23, 2007 5:58:08 GMT -5
I always try to pull over, but without sirens it is sometimes difficult to see them coming.
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Post by Sasquatch on May 23, 2007 7:13:00 GMT -5
Danf, that's sounds like a sensible law.
This guy might not have even been an emergency responder. He could have beensome dude just using a blue light to speed.
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Post by Old Ironsights on May 23, 2007 8:30:07 GMT -5
Danf, that's sounds like a sensible law. This guy might not have even been an emergency responder. He could have beensome dude just using a blue light to speed. Like I said: When in doubt, get a Plate #. If he's not Legit, he needs to be slapped HARD. "Impersonating an EMS responder", Speeding, Reckless Driving, the works.
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Post by trapperdave on May 23, 2007 8:45:39 GMT -5
I think that law should apply to ANY vehicle on the shoulder!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I can be sittin in my van in front of the house waiting for traffic to clear so I can back in (I live on a divided 4 lane) and every that goes by does so at 60mph(speed limit is 45) inches from me even though there is a wide open lane to their left. One of these days I'm gonna fling my door open and let em take it home for a hood ornament
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Post by Old Ironsights on May 23, 2007 8:50:02 GMT -5
That's what $100 Junkers are for... Lawsuit Bait.
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Post by johnc911 on May 23, 2007 15:32:01 GMT -5
Yep, 360 degrees was what it used to be. I knew that had been changed though. However, I thought when the 360 degree requirement was changed, so was the wording to the rule/law/statute on motorists getting over, and blue-light equipped vehicles were supposed to be given the right-of-way? I'm pretty sure it was being discussed 5-6 years ago when I left the department... BTW- You *must* get out of the way for the red's and the greens (EMT's). Henderson- just so you know, by state law, the fire department chief must relieve any volly firefighter from duty if they get a speeding ticket while responding to a call with the light on. Dan that rule has changed also.,
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Post by ActionPoint on May 23, 2007 20:31:56 GMT -5
Why wouldn't you want to yield to someone who is responding to an emergency? That person in the filthy white car may some day come to aid you or someone you love. Is it really that big of an inconvenience to pull over or drive in the "break down lane" for a few seconds?
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Post by whitetaildave24 on May 24, 2007 15:31:40 GMT -5
My stepdad is a volunteer fireman and I know he speeds to get to the location, along with every other responder. Even though they legally they are not supposed to speed.I don't see this as a problem. I always get out of the way, because you just never know when it may be you, your house, or some one you know they are coming to save.
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Post by danf on May 24, 2007 16:53:01 GMT -5
Ok, my info is old.
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