Chasing ambulances...
By bounce58
@bounce58 (17387)
Canada
January 13, 2010 9:43pm CST
I was sitting in traffic today, on my way home, from work, a little bit miffed that the drive is going to be a little bit long because of the volume of cars on the road. When suddenly, I hear the siren of an ambulance somewhere at the back. So naturally, I swerved to the right to make room for the emergency vehicle. As soon as the ambulance passed me, I saw that there were a couple of cars closely following the wake of the ambulance, and thus having a free pass at avoiding traffic.
This got me annoyed. Annoyed that people would do this. Or maybe annoyed that why I didn't think of doing the same. I could have gotten home a lot quicker. Do you do this? Have you had personal experiences chasing ambulances?
13 responses
@PastorP (1170)
• United States
14 Jan 10
Hi bounce58.
The drivers of those vehicles could have been friends or relatives of who was in the ambulance, so quite possibly is not to be the traffic, but to "be there" for their friend or relative, especially when they got to the hospital.
However, they still should not do that, or any of us do that. It's asking for an accident on our part. If it is a friend or relative that we are concerned about, we should drive safely to the hospital anyway. The situation is not going to be helped by endangering oneself and others.
@bounce58 (17387)
• Canada
14 Jan 10
Thanks PastorP. I would understand if it were friends or relatives of the person in the ambulance. I might have done the same if it were my friend or relative. And I wouldn't think twice about chasing the ambulance or people getting annoyed because it took them a little more time to get wherever they were going.
One thing though, I would have turned my hazard lights on. Just to say that I'm with the ambulance. But like I said, you wouldn't be able to think straight if you have a love one in an emergency vehicle.
@AShraderJr (156)
• United States
14 Jan 10
I have never followed an emergency vehicle (Very Far) to get through traffic. The only time I ever have was just to get to the nearest exit. It made me feel a little bit bad, but only a little. Of course where I live if a Police officer notices you following an emergency vehicle to get through traffic, he can give you a big ticket.
So I shy away from it most of the time.
1 person likes this
@SomeCowgirl (32191)
• United States
18 Jan 10
Well they could have been following the ambulance before you saw them, maybe they are family following the ambulance to the hospital? I'm not sure, but either way I don't think it's right to intentionally get a free pass out of traffic and those people should have been fined if they weren't family.
@SomeCowgirl (32191)
• United States
19 Jan 10
Yes, I know you would have no way of knowing unless someone you know was in the traffic jam and knew who was in the ambulance vs who was following the ambulance. Oh well, but yes they should be fined.
@shell2784 (752)
• United States
18 Jan 10
I've never tried that! But its a good thought! Are you sure it wasn't a fire police or anything like that?
Anyway! As rude as I can be in traffic... when i saw there was a car coming up thru also, I'd have whipped my car back to my spot and let the A-hole take me out! Wait your dam turn like everyone else! You think you're that much more important? You dont' think everyone else wants to get home or to the store or where ever else they may have to go?
I love pissing people off by riding down the middle of the two lanes :) You know.. when there are signs for MILES telling everyone that the 2 lanes are going to merge into one... and you get the big freaking jam because everyone things they can zoom up the lane that's closing and jump over!? HECK NO MAN! Not if I'm in front of you!
Although once when I was doing that... a big ol' (important i guess) escalade when sneaking past me in between my car and the concrete median. I can't believe the dude didn't take his mirrors off! It was sooo tight! And he nicely flipped me the bird the whole time... so i gave him 2... because well... I can :) I would have stopped him too but i wasn't paying attention b/c I figured I was good where I was sitting.
So - I guess I really didn't touch on your discussion topic too much - but I had fun jabbering! :)
@shell2784 (752)
• United States
18 Jan 10
My friend always wants me to write a book about different... odd and not always great situations I've found myself in. But a ranting book would be GREAT!
I'm glad that you enjoy "listening" to me though. I try and type the same way I'd talk... that's why you get all those... and lols (because I really giggle while I'm typing them) OH! And the "haha"'s lol You never know. If you see author "shell2784" on a book somewhere, be sure to pick it up! Basically because I want to know who the eff stole my screen name b/c i'd never use that as my author name. :)
Oh... and its the black Lincoln you have to watch out for ;)
@bounce58 (17387)
• Canada
18 Jan 10
So where you at again? And what are you driving? I have to make a mental note. If I see someone riding two lanes and flipping 2 birds to anybody trying to sneak up, I'd be sure it's you, and will try to stay as far away as possible.
Have you ever thought of writing a book? Or a blog? And just calling it, Rants about Anything and Everything. I bet it'll sell. I sure enjoy your jabbering!
Have you ever thought of writing a book? Or a blog? And just calling it, Rants about Anything and Everything. I bet it'll sell. I sure enjoy your jabbering!
@froggieslover (3069)
• United States
14 Jan 10
Hello bounce, I don't think that I would follow an ambulance after I had to pull over to let it pass. I guess I would feel like I would be interferring with their travels or something. Of course it would be nice to get through the traffic a lot faster I just don't think that I could do it...
1 person likes this
@bounce58 (17387)
• Canada
14 Jan 10
Oh I think it takes some nerve to closely follow an emergency vehicle with its lights and siren on. Nerves not to make a mistake and crash through the ambulance in front at high speed chase. And nerves for the people getting angry at you because you just passed them by virture of being at the back of the ambulance, chasing it.
@jewels49 (1776)
• United States
14 Jan 10
You didn't think of doing it bounce, because you are not a moron. As someone who spent a few years working in a ambulance, I can tell you that those people create more problems, what if the ambulance was going to a wreck that covered the entire road or backed up for miles, where are they going to go then, and if they were just among those ghouls that like hawking accident scenes they are only going to get in the way and impede the effort of the rescue workers. It may have been annoying for you, but you made the right call and didn't create more problems.
1 person likes this
@bounce58 (17387)
• Canada
15 Jan 10
Thanks J. I wouldn't want to be in the way of an emergency. In fact, that's why we swerve and let the ambulance pass. Hoping that it gets to where the accident faster, and hopefully save a life. And that's worth sitting in traffic a little bit longer than necessary.
@mikeyr6000le (2123)
• United States
14 Jan 10
You could have gotten their plates and turned them in. I don't do that and hate people who do.
We had to call 911 for here one time and we are in the country. Someone atually had the nerve to follow them out and turn around in our drive way. If I hadn't been busy doing other things I would have given them a piece of my mind.
@bounce58 (17387)
• Canada
15 Jan 10
Now there's an idea! Unfortuantely it was already dark, and was raining when the ambulance and the chasing cars sped through. I just wonder how much hassle that would be? And to think that it most probably just friends or relatives of the person on the ambulance. Thanks mikeyr6000le
@minx267 (15527)
• Hartford, Connecticut
14 Jan 10
I can tell you the thought has crossed my mind on more than one occasion.
But, then I am not the most patient of persons when it comes to driving, so I am always looking for the quick route.. unfortunately, I am Fairly chicken, so I always air on the side of caution...
One of these days though..... :-)
@faikeijames (247)
• United States
14 Jan 10
Wow....are you sure they weren't following because of someone was in the abulance that they knew? if not, yeah that would annoy me too.
@TickleMeBreathless (590)
• United States
14 Jan 10
I would have been annoyed too. Even if it was family or friends of the person in the ambulance. While I could understand if that were the case, if it were just people trying to get around all the traffic I would be kind of angry. They should wait their turn like everyone else. I have never seen anything like that, because I don't live near a big city where there are normally traffic rushes and jams. I live in a smaller area, and when there's an ambulance on the road there's normally plenty of room and time to pull over.
@Rajitharamesh (43)
• India
14 Jan 10
This is what we say as being smarter. However it doesn't sound healthy to be encouraged. Ambulances carry struggling life so it's not advisable to chase ambulances.
@Romaniac (53)
• United States
15 Jan 10
Haha. I don't think they're friends of the people in the ambulance. My dad drove an emergency vehicle for a living. They don't typically let others follow close behind, as a way to speed behind a family member. I am sure this person was doing this purposly, using the ambulance as a blockaid.
Guilty as charged for doing this before.
