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Emergency vehicles and irresponsible drivers

Published:Wednesday | July 18, 2018 | 12:00 AM

THE EDITOR, Sir:

Over the years I have become deeply concerned about yet another very dangerous practice occasioned by some motorists in how they react to sirens of approaching emergency service vehicles such as ambulances, police vehicles and fire trucks. Although there is protocol that drivers should follow when an emergency vehicle is approaching, often there is total disregard.

Whenever these emergency vehicles are behind a motorist and have their sirens activated and lights on, the motorist should clear a path for them. However, I see several drivers refusing to adhere to this regulation: some speed up while some slow down briefly to allow the emergency vehicle to pass but follow at high speeds behind; some drivers even try to overtake them.

Then there is another group that just continues to drive in oblivion. Such practices not only endanger the lives of the drivers, but also the occupants of the emergency vehicles as well as other users of the road such as pedestrians and other motorists.

Are the authorities turning a blind eye to this mayhem which plagues our streets? I believe that the police must urgently put a halt to this very dangerous practice by exercising the full extent of the law and stop getting people hurt or killed.

Pamela V Lowe

gladina10@yahoo.com