All cars should yield to emergency vehicles
Recently I was on Maple Street in Oneonta. An ambulance was coming, so traffic moved out of the way as expected.
While myself and several other drivers had either come to a stop or, where possible, had moved out of the way, another driver with plenty of time to notice the ambulance came flying past everyone. He saw the situation but obviously could not care less. The ambulance had to swerve to miss this careless driver as he turned in front of the ambulance to get ahead and go where he wanted to go.
I have witnessed so many people not getting out of the way for emergency vehicles. I can't believe how these people can drive and not move when they see lights and hear sirens.
To them I say, if they can't get out of the way, stay off the streets and leave the driving to more-thoughtful and -mature people who care.
The emergency vehicles need to get to their destination without being hindered. I can't imagine how anyone could so carelessly race past and turn in front of the ambulance, when everybody else is waiting for the ambulance to come through.
If these emergency vehicles were on the way to help their family or friends out, they wouldn't appreciate someone else getting in the way. These thoughtless drivers need to wake up and keep alert, and try caring more about someone else in need of help than thinking only of themselves and where they want to get to.
Those that serve in our communities to help people facing an emergency are here to help all of us. So don't get in the way of them doing what they do. Get out of the way.
Sharon Wheeler
Oneonta
