Searsport Ambulance
Serving the Citizens and Visitors of Searsport, Maine
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There's an emergency vehicle with its lights and sirens on.  What do I do???
 
  • Remain calm!  Many drivers are surprised by an approaching emergency vehicle and suddenly jerk the steering wheel.
  • Pull easily to the right and stop.  It is dangerous to travel in the breakdown lane at normal highway speeds.  It is dangerous for us to try to speed up to get by you.  Besides, it is the law!**** (see below)
  • Before pulling back into traffic, check your mirrors for additional emergency vehicles or other traffic.
  • Do not follow an emergency vehicle closely.  Often we will not be able to see you in our mirrors.  Motorist who have pulled over for an emergency vehicle may suddenly pull back into your path.
  • Cars and trucks are built so that the interior ride is much quieter.  Air conditioning, premium sound systems and cell phone conversations make it difficult for a driver to hear and approaching emergency vehicle.  Often, distracted drivers (cell phone, radio, laptops, GPS units and even books and newspapers (yes, we've seen it)) do not check their rearview mirrors.  It's dangerous for us and it is dangerous for you!

 

For more information send us a message from the "Contact Us" page or call 548-2302!

                                                                                                                                                
 
Stay tuned for more safety information!

 

 **** Right-of-way. An authorized emergency vehicle operated in response to, but not returning from, a call or fire alarm or operated in pursuit of an actual or suspected violator of the law has the right-of-way when emitting a visual signal using an emergency light and an audible signal using a bell or siren. On the approach of any such vehicle, the operator of every other vehicle shall immediately draw that vehicle as near as practicable to the right-hand curb, parallel to the curb and clear of any intersection and bring it to a standstill until the authorized emergency vehicle has passed. A violation of this subsection is a Class E crime that, notwithstanding Title 17-A, section 1301, is punishable by a minimum fine of $250 for the first offense and for a 2nd offense occurring within 3 years of the first offense a mandatory 30-day suspension of a driver's license.
Maine Title 29-A