Someone on this site mentioned how dangerous the driving public's refusal to yield to emergency vehicles has become. He then commented that perhaps it's time for OFPC to distribute a public service announcement reminding drivers that they must yield the road to an emergency vehicle using lights and sirens.

(See Section 1144 of the Vehicle & Traffic Law in NYS)

We know what John Q. Public SHOULD be doing, but I've noticed an increasing number of incidents involving private vehicles and emergency vehicles colliding, resulting in injuries and death. I've also noticed fewer and fewer drivers pulling over and then stopping (you just have to love those "I'll move over six inches, but no more than that, and I'm going to keep moving, so good luck getting around me") So why aren't drivers pulling to the side and stopping when they encounter a firetruck or ambulance responding to an emergency?

I wonder what the response would be if you polled 50 drivers at random who regularly commute to work by car and asked them what the appropriate course of action is when encountering an emergency vehicle in full response? I'm betting that at least half don't know that not only are you supposed to pull over, you're supposed to come to a complete stop until the fire truck or ambulance has passed. (Note to all you blue-lighters, this does NOT apply to anyone responding in a private vehicle with a blue light).

Why don't they know? They have to learn it before they can get their license, but can you tell me the last time you heard or saw any sort of public service announcement reminding drivers to pull over when they hear or see lights and sirens? I know I can't.

The hell with a public service announcement, I want to see a public service CAMPAIGN; print, radio, tv.....