Why Are We Here ?

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Why Are We Here ?

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DUE REGARD

A reasonably careful person performing the similar duties and under similar circumstances would act in the same manner

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The Problem

Emergency vehicles involved inrear end collisions account for 15% of frequency of accidents

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Following Distance

The measure of the area of constant clear space between two moving vehicles

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Inadequate following distance….

Reduces other driver’s reaction time

Reduces vehicle operator’s reaction time and stopping time

Makes warning lights ineffective

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Limits escape route options

Limits field of vision

Causes emergency vehicles to become hidden in blind spots of motor vehicle operators

Inadequate following distance….

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RATE OF CLOSURE The measure of diminishing time and clear space between a vehicle in motion and either a stopped vehicle or a slower moving vehicle

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Rate of closure is also the measure of diminishing time and clear space between two oncoming vehicles

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Unsafe rate of closure:

Causes other drivers to be caught off guard and panic

Reduces your ability to react due to decrease of space and time between objects

Limits the effectiveness of yourvehicle’s warning devices

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Is not dependent upon excessive speed

Startles drivers, causing rushed or unpredictable maneuvers

Reduces the number of emergency vehicle operator options

Unsafe rate of closure:

Greatly increases the risk of being involved in an accident

Forces stopped vehicles to jam intersections and force the public into driving situations that they are not able to comprehend

Unsafe rate of closure:

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Michigan: Mobile Medical Response faces one count of negligent homicide for their role in a

July 1999 ambulance crash in which she allegedly ran a stop sign during a non-emergency transport

and killed a motorist

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If a civilian vehicle fails to give right of way

You don’t have it

You can’t force it

You can not assume it

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The Problem:

Civilian vehicles not ableto yield right of way

Civilian vehicles not willingto yield right of way

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Reasons Civilian Vehicles Not Able or Unwilling to Yield to Emergency Vehicles: Emergency vehicle operator does not allow civilian vehicle to safely yield

right-of-way

Civilian drivers may not understand motor vehicle laws in the state and therefore, they would not be able to

yield the right-of-way

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Reasons Civilian Vehicles Not Able To or Unwilling to Yield to Emergency Vehicles:

Lack of mental awareness of civilian driver, therefore they are not willing to yield right-of-way

Poor attitude of drivers and lack of awareness, therefore they are not willing to yield right-of-way

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Reasons Civilian Vehicles Not Able To or Unwilling to Yield to Emergency Vehicles:

Physical Obstructions of environment, therefore they are not able to yield right-of-way

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The Problem:

High Incidence of Intersection Accidents

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GENERAL CONCERNSGENERAL CONCERNS::

Intersections are the locations for the most frequent and severe vehicle accidents due to:

Restricted visibilityOther drivers’ actionsVehicle density

Over aggressiveness of theemergency vehicle operator

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Texas: A Medic One paramedic died and another sustained serious injuries in Jan. when their ambulance rear-ended an 18-wheeler. Heavy fog limited visibility, and the ambulance did not have its emergency lights on. The paramedic who died was not wearing a seatbelt.

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Intersection accidents are the result of the following improper Driving Strategies….. Emergency vehicle operators’ failure to make sure intersection was clear

Excessive Speed

Not driving with “DUE REGARD”

Poor defensive driving skills.

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Emergency vehicle operators assume that civilian drivers are aware of their presence.

Failure to anticipate obstacles and potential obstacles moving into your path of travel

Lack of Awareness on the part of the civilian driver

Physical Obstructions.

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13%3%

84% Other Driver Error

All other orUnknownAmbulance DriverError

FACTORS CONTRIBUTING TO INTERSECTION ACCIDENTS

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Results of Improper Emergency Vehicle Driving Strategies:

The public is Confused.

High Speed limits evasive maneuvers available to emergency vehicle operator

Reaction and stopping time reduced.

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Results of Improper Emergency Vehicle Driving Strategies:

Potential increased for :

Head-on collisions

Hitting/rear-ending stopped vehicles

Broadsiding and/or sideswiping vehicles

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38%

15%41%

6%

Rear-EndLost ControlIntersectionsAll Others

ACCIDENT FREQUENCY BY TYPE

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10%

24%

60%

6%

Rear-End

Lost Control

Intersections

All Other

ACCIDENT SEVERITY BY TYPE

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Special PrecautionsTo Use for All Intersections

As you approach intersection, scan potential path of travel for hazards.At not less than 200 feet from intersection activate “yelp” mode of siren. Start slowing down at this time and prepare to come to a complete stop prior to entering intersection.

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Special PrecautionsTo Use for All Intersections

Avoid traveling in opposing traffic lanes unless it is absolutely necessary.

Make sure opposing lane is clear

Proceed with caution

Pass one vehicle at a time

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Crossing on Uncontrolled or Green traffic Signal

Position your vehicle in appropriate lane for your path of travel

Scan your path of travel and observe potential hazards

Adjust speed so that vehicle could be brought to a stop and at not less than 200 ft prior to intersection, Activate “yelp” mode

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Crossing on Uncontrolled or Green Traffic Signal

While decreasing speed, observe all four directions, establish eye contact with other

vehicles who may enter intersections.

Verify no other vehicles in the intersection.

Proceed with caution through the intersection.

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Crossing on Red Traffic Signal

Position your vehicle in appropriate lane for your path of travel

Scan your path of travel and observe potential hazards.Slow down, cover brake pedal.

At no less than 200ft prior to reachingintersection, activate yelp” mode

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Crossing on Red Traffic Signal

Come to a complete stop at intersection

Establish eye contact with other vehicle drivers.

Have partner communicate “all is clear”reconfirm all other vehicles are stopped.

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Crossing on Red Traffic Signal

Proceed one lane at a time

Use this procedure for each lane that will be crossed.

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Making Right or Left Turns Across Stopped Vehicles

Bring vehicle to a complete stop.

Use turn signals to communicate direction you will be turning.

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Driver or partner should establish eye contact with side stopped vehicle and should verbally communicate to each other that turning path is clear.

Making Right or Left Turns Across Stopped Vehicles

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Proceed with caution, checking the stopped vehicles and the intersection frequently to assure that it is still clear and safe to proceed.

Making Right or Left Turns Across Stopped Vehicles

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THE PROBLEM:Inadequate or improper use of red lights and siren. Some examples of this are …...

Lights and siren used to clear inter-sections so emergency vehicle operator does not stop.

Warning devices switched “on” and “off” throughout emergency response

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Inadequate or improper use of red lights and siren.

Utilizing warning lights during non-emergency transports

Utilizing lights and siren to force civilian vehicles through intersections.

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Role of red lights and siren:

REQUEST permission for the right-of-way

Notify the public of your presence.

Allow public to safely yield to emergency vehicle

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Common civilian reactions to lights and siren:

Panic Confusion

Unaware of presence of emergency vehicle

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Common reasons civilian drivers ignore lights and siren:Air Conditioners, HeatersSoundproof vehicles Cell PhonesRolled-up windows. Loud MusicVerbal communication inside the vehicleHearing impaired driversLack of Driver awareness

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TRUE EMERGENCY….A SITUATION IN WHICH THERE

IS A HIGH PROBABILITY OF DEATH OR SERIOUS INJURY TO

AN INDIVIDUAL, OR SIGNIFICANT PROPERTY LOSS,

AND ACTION BY AN EMERGENCY VEHICLE OPERATOR MAY REDUCE

THE SERIOUSNESS OF THE SITUATION

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Proper use of Lights and Siren in Emergency Mode

No vehicle should be operated inemergency mode unless all warning devices are fully operational

Only true emergencies should be responded to using warning devices

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Proper use of Lights and Siren in Emergency Mode

True emergencies will be responded to with warning devices regardless of time of day and conditions except where warning devices could cause confusion

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THE PROBLEM

Lack of awareness by emergency vehicle operator during emergency responses

CIGNA loss analysis indicates that 72% of all accidents are a result of driver error

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NYC: An ambulance en route to a non-emergency call in Dec. ran a red light

and struck another car, killing a grandmother and injuring her grandson. Although the ambulance’s emergency sirens and lights

were on, the patient the ambulance was en route to pick up was not in danger and lived

across the street from a hospital.

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Some examples of lack of emergency vehicle operator awareness are :

Casual conversation during response

Horseplay/ jokes during emergency response

Lack of routine planning

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Some examples of lack of emergency vehicle operator awareness are :

Improper driving technique

Hand position on wheelSeat and mirror adjustment.No Seat belts

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BACKING General considerations:

ALWAYS use a spotter if availableIf you can avoid backing, Don’t !Do not start to back up when you’re unsure of the area

When parking, position you vehicle so that you will not be required to back up when leaving

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BACKING

General considerations:

Do not put the unit into reverse before coming to a complete stop

Roll the window down completely

Make visual and verbal contact with your spotter

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BACKING If No Spotter is Available:

Reconsider backing up. It it really necessary ?

Make a reasonable attempt to get someone to act as a spotter

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If a spotter can not be obtained, get out and walk around the unit completelyand survey the backing area.

BACKING

Be sure to check the overhead clearance

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