TRIPLE D'OH
Sirens wailing, life and death but drivers won't budge for ambos
IGNORANT drivers are blocking ambulances racing to Triple-0 emergencies in shocking cases of contempt that could cost lives. The Gold Coast Bulletin rode in an ambulance that responded to five Code One emergencies yesterday. On every job, the driver was delayed by motorists who either refused to move aside or did not notice the siren and lights.
AMBULANCES racing to life-and-death emergencies are being delayed by obnoxious and inattentive drivers who ignore sirens and flashing lights.
The Gold Coast Bulletin witnessed the selfish behaviour first-hand yesterday while riding with a Queensland Ambulance Service paramedic as he responded to Code One call-outs.
Code One is the desig- nation given to the most serious cases, often called in via 000. These involve paramedics travelling at high speed with lights and sirens wailing – and minutes count to patient outcomes.
We witnessed five Code One responses and every time there were motorists who either ignored or did not see the ambulance.
Truck drivers were the biggest culprits, failing to move aside despite space in adjoining lanes.
One vehicle continued into a roundabout when the ambulance was clearly entering it, while another had its back window blocked, did not move, and waved at the ambulance when it went past.
The fine for failing to give way to an emergency vehicle is $274 and three points.
Critical care paramedic Greg Jones said often drivers simply did not want to give up a faster lane.
Other times, they were not paying attention and did not see the ambulance.
“It is an issue. People could die or be permanently disabled,” Mr Jones said.
“Most people get caught unaware. They don’t hear you and all of a sudden you’re on top of them.
“Obviously if it’s a bit more serious you push the driving a bit harder.”
Gold Coast Road Policing officer-in-charge Bradyn Murphy said cars’ numberplates could be recorded and the drivers charged later.
“They’re preventing emergency vehicles from getting somewhere and they’re lifeendangering,” Senior Sergeant Murphy said.
“When it comes to ambu- lance and fire, how would they feel if they were on the way to their house?
“They’re already lit up like Christmas trees now. People need to be aware of their surroundings, not have the radio on so loud, not be on their mobile phone.”
Professor Mark Kebbell, from Griffith University’s school of applied psychology, said people who got in the way of ambulances were sometimes serial offenders who thought they were above the law.
“It is pretty anti-social.”