How to react when an emergency vehicle approaches (Atlanta: school, law) - Georgia (GA) - City-Data Forum

Shagbark Hickory · 06-29-2009, 10:24 PM

This particular practice seems to be an Atlanta thing. Why is it when an ambulance or firetruck comes toward you with lights and sirens, even though they are on the other side of the road, the @#$% in front of you will slam on their brakes and stop in the middle of the street and remain there until the vehicle passes?

Is this a law or something because I can't tell you how many accidents this nearly caused. I've seen people do the slam & stop even when it's there's a median dividing the road.

People, if the ambulance is on the other side of the road...

atlantagreg30127 · 06-29-2009, 10:59 PM

According to what I've heard, you DO have to stop and pull over, even if it's on the other side of a road, if that road is undivided.

If there is a median, you do not and should not stop. No median -yes, you do.

It's pretty much similar to school buses - you stop regardless of which direction they're going if they stop along an undivided road. If the road is divided, you don't have to stop if you're on the other side of the median, etc.

cityrover · 06-30-2009, 02:18 AM

Sorta. You stop at intersections. Else you create a blockage and the vehicle cannot turn since the morons who stopped 2 miles worth of cars created a vehicular wall.

If the vehicle wants to turn, trust me, you will know it. I get frustrated by the few people who do that too. Seems to be an out of state thing mostly.. They see lights and they freeze in fear like deer.

I particularly enjoy watching the people who jump curbs to completely clear the road. I really need a dash cam for those moments.

40-6-74

a) Upon the immediate approach of an authorized emergency vehicle or a vehicle belonging to a federal, state, or local law enforcement agency making use of an audible signal and visual signals meeting the requirements of Code Section 40-6-6, the driver of every other vehicle shall yield the right of way and shall immediately drive to a position parallel to, and as close as possible to, the right-hand edge or curb of the roadway clear of any intersection and shall stop and remain in such position until the authorized emergency vehicle or law enforcement vehicle has passed, except when otherwise directed by a police officer.

ericsonga · 07-01-2009, 07:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cityrover

40-6-74

a) Upon the immediate approach of an authorized emergency vehicle or a vehicle belonging to a federal, state, or local law enforcement agency making use of an audible signal and visual signals meeting the requirements of Code Section 40-6-6, the driver of every other vehicle shall yield the right of way and shall immediately drive to a position parallel to, and as close as possible to, the right-hand edge or curb of the roadway clear of any intersection and shall stop and remain in such position until the authorized emergency vehicle or law enforcement vehicle has passed, except when otherwise directed by a police officer.

I don't think that is saying to just stop at intersections. I believe it is saying that you have to pull over to the right hand side of the road, without blocking an intersection. You do however have to pull over and stop

graywolf73 · 07-02-2009, 02:33 PM

I can't believe how many people don't get out of the way. They keep driving in their lane and the same speed with the attitute "oh, just go around me"

Windu · 07-06-2009, 05:46 AM

Nobody should be slamming on brakes, but everyone should be pulling over to the right and stopping. The emergency vehicle may need to cross into oncoming lanes to get around traffic.

cityrover · 07-06-2009, 06:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ericsonga

I don't think that is saying to just stop at intersections. I believe it is saying that you have to pull over to the right hand side of the road, without blocking an intersection. You do however have to pull over and stop

Yes but thats impractical and downright dangerous at times. Hence the sorta at the beginning of the post.

AcidSnake · 07-06-2009, 07:33 AM

Those aren't original Georgians/Atlantans doing that... Probably transplanted New Yorkers or them other Yankee-types.

Cathy4287 · 11-30-2010, 12:54 PM

Did anyone read their drivers book before they got their license? Approaching or one coming up behind you, emergancy, state, fire etc, vehicle(whichever one they are) you immediantley slow down and pull to the right. Coming or going, you slow down and pull to the right. In other words, get out of the way. If you were having a heart attack, don't you want the ambulance there ASAP or to be able to get you to the hospital without having to wait on traffic? It's in the handbook.

cityrover · 12-01-2010, 04:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cathy4287

Did anyone read their drivers book before they got their license? Approaching or one coming up behind you, emergancy, state, fire etc, vehicle(whichever one they are) you immediantley slow down and pull to the right. Coming or going, you slow down and pull to the right. In other words, get out of the way. If you were having a heart attack, don't you want the ambulance there ASAP or to be able to get you to the hospital without having to wait on traffic? It's in the handbook.

1. even if it means stopping in the road and BLOCKING the road?
2. get out of the way means DRIVE until you CAN get out of the way.

The drivers handbook is made for people who are literally legally retarded. No seriously. The language and features are dumbed down while not offering anything of substance beyond how to pass the exam. It doesn't teach you to drive. Before somebody says what a nice anthology it is.

The commercial one is better so you might actually want to pick that one up. Seriously. Read the commercial one. Might actually learn something that will save you one day