Hardly a day goes by without encountering an emergency vehicle with all lights flashing and horns blaring, usually it’s an ambulance. What staggers me is the way in which the majority of motorists react as soon as they see the emergency vehicle – slam the brakes on and stop! Doesn’t matter if they’re just short of the brow of a hill, a bend in the road, opposite a parked car or at a point at where the road narrows. I can’t recall if how to react to these situations is covered in the driving theory test? If I’m correct in thinking it’s not, perhaps that explains why the majority of drivers react as they do, although common sense should tell you what to do without having to be taught.
There is at least on TV advert (or what used to be called Public Information Film) trying to explain to motorists what they should do if they see/hear emergency vehicles approaching.
I think half the problem is that many car drivers do not have even the slightest clue what is going on around their vehicle.
Yes, it’s amazing how many people don’t get out of the way, instead just stopping where they are – and getting in the way!