Shouldn't you stop the car when you hear the siren? (California: taxes, live)

[Chris-Kim]

I moved from NY 2 months ago and in NY everyone stops as soon as s/he hears it. In MD almost nobody stops.

In MD doesn't the law require you to stop the car when you hear the police siren or fire engine siren???

[beilart]

One would think so but I too have yet to see anyone stop for a siren. Once in a while people do slow down but actually stop, naw!

[BigDragon]

No, you are supposed to slow down and get out of the way if the emergency vehicle is coming from behind you. If it's coming towards you then you must yield particularly at intersections. You're not actually supposed to stop (unless at an intersection) as this could cause a traffic backup and hamper the emergency vehicle's forward progression. Slow down and let them pass. Stopping also creates a fender-bender hazard as a person behind you may not hear the siren as soon as you do and thus stopping may catch them by surprise.

[Chris-Kim]

Are you sure about that?

What I mean by "Stop" is not to abruptly stop. It means "slow down, yield and stop until the emergency vehicle gets out of sight.

I can tell you on the basis of my direct experiences that drivers in NY, NJ, CT, MA, VT, RI & MI do stop when they hear a siren. Most MD drivers don't even slow down when they hear a siren and that's extremely dangerous especially at an intersection.

[beilart]

Vehicles also slow down and stop in Oklahoma, North Carolina, California, Texas and Kentucky. Those, however, are the only states in which I have resided and am familiar with the laws. Not sure on other states.

[Mrs. 14th & You]

Originally Posted by BigDragon

No, you are supposed to slow down and get out of the way if the emergency vehicle is coming from behind you. If it's coming towards you then you must yield particularly at intersections. You're not actually supposed to stop (unless at an intersection) as this could cause a traffic backup and hamper the emergency vehicle's forward progression. Slow down and let them pass. Stopping also creates a fender-bender hazard as a person behind you may not hear the siren as soon as you do and thus stopping may catch them by surprise.

Here's what I found on MD law:
On the immediate approach of an emergency vehicle using audible and
visual signals that meet the requirements of § 22–218 of this article or of a police vehicle lawfully using an audible signal, the driver of every other vehicle, unless otherwise directed by a police officer, shall stop and stay in this position until the emergency vehicle has passed.

That said, if you're in heavy traffic and coming to a dead stop blocks the road entirely, of course it's a good idea to look for the best way to get out of the way.

It seems that the OP is not the only person to note that few in this region yield to emergency vehicles; this summer a bill was up to raise the maximum fine for failure to yield. I'm unsure if it passed.

I always pull over as safely as possible when I see an emergency vehicle approaching. For following the laws, I have been cut off (while pulling over and while attempting to merge back into traffic) and have been nearly rear-ended. We have people in the metro area who believe that their time is so important it merits delaying the response to a possibly life-threatening emergency.

[Dreamy46]

Page 41 of the driver's handbook:

http://www.mva.maryland.gov/Resources/DL-002B.pdf

You stop...

"Authorized emergency vehicles, such as police cars, ambulances and fire engines, have the right-of-way when they are giving a signal, either audible (siren) or visual (flashing light). When you hear or see a vehicle approach, you should immediately drive to the curb and stop, remaining stopped until the emergency vehicle has passed. Do not follow any fire apparatus closer than 500 feet when it is responding to an emergency."

[dkf747]

Originally Posted by Mrs. 14th & You

Here's what I found on MD law:
On the immediate approach of an emergency vehicle using audible and
visual signals that meet the requirements of § 22–218 of this article or of a police vehicle lawfully using an audible signal, the driver of every other vehicle, unless otherwise directed by a police officer, shall stop and stay in this position until the emergency vehicle has passed.

Seems likie they didn't choose the right words for this. That's probably why no one stops.

[Chris-Kim]

Fine those who don't stop instead of raising taxes in MD!

[firefightermom]

I also noticed people don't stop in MD, and I agree that many just felt their time was too important.

People need to realize that they are endangering people's lives when they do such things: other drivers, themselves, and the workers and patients on the ambulance or fire apparatus. My husband has been raced while driving the ambulance on 270--people trying to pass him and exit on Shady Grove Rd before he does!