Looking in the review mirror and seeing an emergency vehicle approaching can be a nerve racking experience. As the vehicle gets closer and the sirens get louder the experience can be even more overwhelming. For drivers who are unsure of how to respond to emergency vehicles it can be an especially stressful.

Police vehicles, ambulances, and fire trucks are considered emergency vehicles. Emergency vehicles have red, white or a combination of red and white lights and when they are responding to an emergency they are in constant motion and may have their sirens on.

In New York State, drivers are required to obey a few simple rules of engagement when sharing the roadways with emergency vehicles. Here is a helpful hint; it's never a good idea to speed up to stay in front of the emergency vehicle.

• All other vehicles must yield the right of way when being approached by an emergency vehicle with activated lights and sirens.


• Yielding the right of way means immediately driving to the right hand edge of the roadway. The car must be parallel to the roadway and clear of an intersection.


• All vehicles must stop and remain stopped until the emergency vehicle(s) have passed. Unless directed otherwise by a police officer.

Similar to the misconceptions about the rules of engagement with emergency vehicles, many drivers are unsure of the parking regulations regarding fire hydrants. Unless there are signs indicating otherwise, it is illegal to park less than 15 feet away from a fire hydrant. Vehicles are also prohibited to stop or stand in front of a fire hydrant unless there is a licensed driver in the front seat. Vehicles are permitted to stop in front of a fire hydrant in this case because the driver is able to immediately move out of the way in the event of an emergency.

Many drivers are confused by flashing lights on other emergency vehicle. The different colored lights are used to represent the organization their drivers volunteer for. In order to display those lights the drivers must have written permission from the chief officer of the organization they volunteer for. Even after written permission they are only allowed to display their lights in the event of an emergency.

The following are the three most common flashing lights on non-emergency vehicles:

• A blue flashing light on a personal vehicle denotes a volunteer fire fighter responding to an emergency call.


• A flashing green light represents a volunteer ambulance service member responding to an emergency call.


• A flashing yellow (amber) colored light indicated a hazard vehicle (snowplow, tow-truck, utility company truck, etc) is engaging in an hazardous operation.

Note: in cities with a population over 1 million, flashing yellow lights may be placed on a vehicle of someone who is a member of a volunteer civil or crime patrol organization.

Learn more about Driver Safety and Education at the National Safety Commission.

Article: Emergency Vehicles Right of Way and Laws

Labels: driver safety, driver safety techniques, emergency vehicle

Whether you believe in global warming or not, one thing that can't be argued is that the US has been subjected to some torrential storms over the last couple of years. Atlanta received 20 inches of rain in a day and earlier this spring Nashville was struck with a massive flood. Some major floods can be predicted but an intense afternoon thunderstorm can also rapidly produce flash flood conditions that can be treacherous for drivers on the road. Drivers in these conditions are surprised at how much damage just a small amount of water on the road can do and, as a result, more than half of the deaths attributed to flash floods are auto related.

Before you go out in these conditions it's a good time to review the hazards of flooded roads and steps you should take to avoid them or, in the worst scenario, to escape from a flooding situation. Here are some important facts about to remember about flooding:

• Every flood is dangerous to drivers. Even if the water running across the road appears shallow, what you can’t see under the rushing water is the greatest hazard of all. The road could be washed out and the water may be much deeper than you realize. Even if it appears intact, the roadway could collapse under the weight of your vehicle.


• Less than an inch of water can cause a driver to lose control.


• As little as six inches of rushing water has enough force to push your car off the road.


• Your car can float in as little as two feet of water and you could be washed away into a flooded stream or river.


• In hilly or mountainous areas, flash floods can occur long after the rain has stopped and far away from the site of a rain storm.


• The force of rushing water and debris can be strong enough to cause bridges to collapse.


• Summer thunderstorms can dump one to two inches of rain in a very short time.


• Flood waters can rise at a rapid rate.

What should you do to avoid flooded roadways?

• If you live in mountainous, hilly, or flood prone areas, pay attention to weather reports. If there are warnings of flooding, take an alternate route if it is available. Better yet, stay home.


• If the roadway is flooded, even a little, don’t attempt to drive through the water. Turn around and take an alternate route.


• Temporary barriers blocking flooded roadways are placed by emergency personnel for a reason; never drive around them into a flooded area.


• If you find yourself stalled in rising flood waters, do not attempt to stay with the car. A floating car can be swept into deeper water and can easily roll over. Escape if possible and get to higher ground immediately. Many flood related fatalities occur when people try to stay with the vehicle.


• If the rushing water is too deep and the current is too strong, you will have to make a judgment call about staying with the vehicle. Turn around before you get into that position.


• Be especially cautious when driving at night when it is much more difficult to recognize flooding conditions.


• Remember that emergency personnel will be overwhelmed and may not be able to get to you for some time.

Check out additional driver safety tips on driving in the rain or sleet.

Labels: driver safety, driver safety techniques, driver safety tips, flooded roads

After the storms last month, I had hoped the age old adage “April showers brings May flowers” would ring true this spring. However, that does need to be the case. Temperatures are dropping and more rain is on its way this way. Although the rain forecasted for this week is not supposed to bring storms like the ones New Yorkers experienced last month, it is still important to review safety techniques for driving in the rain.

First and foremost drivers should remain alert when driving in rain. Rain and wet roadways increase driving risks by lowering driver visibility and making it more difficult to stop quickly. Additionally, drivers must always be on the lookout for debris in the roadways. Debris is especially common when heavy rain is accompanied by high winds. Motorists should always be on the lookout for downed trees and fallen power lines after a windy rain storm.

In response to the storms that wrecked havoc on New York State earlier this spring the Acting Commissioner of the New York State Department of Transportation reminded New Yorkers that, "The Department of Transportation's maintenance staff will do their best to restore mobility when weather causes road closures, but it is imperative that motorists do their part by staying alert and watching for downed trees and power lines and avoiding standing water in the road As always, we will clear debris and repair and reopen our State highways as quickly as possible after spring storms."

In addition to remaining alert and keeping an eye out for debris and downed power lines, the following tips will help ensure your safety through any storms this spring and summer bring to your area.

• Don’t speed on wet roads. Drive the speed limit or slower, if need be.


• Check your windshield wiper blades and tires regularly to ensure your vehicle is equipped to properly handle the effects of inclement spring and summer weather.


• Turn your lights on when driving in the rain. This will make it easier for you to see and for oncoming traffic to see you.


• Be aware of the drivers around you. Treat a non-functioning traffic signal as a 4-way stop sign.


• Don’t attempt to drive through standing water. Many times water appears shallow enough to drive through but standing water can hide dips in the road. So, it’s best to play it safe and turn around and find a different route. Six inches of water will reach the bottom of most passenger cars; this can result in a loss of control or stalling of your vehicle.


• If your visibility becomes heavily impaired it is best to pull over onto a safe spot on the shoulder until the rain eases. Make sure to turn on your flashers once you’ve pulled onto the shoulder. This will make it easier for other drivers to see you.


• Always be aware of the vehicles around you. In addition to impairing driver visibility, high winds can make it difficult for drivers of trucks, SUVs and other large vehicles to control their vehicles.


• During a lightning storm remain in your vehicle. Your vehicle will provide better insulation and protection against a possible lighting strike than being out in the open. However, even while you’re in your car, you avoid contact with any metal surfaces that can conduct electricity

To learn more about driver training consider taking a drivers license practice course.

Labels: driver safety course, driver safety techniques, driving safey