OUR TURN: Drivers: Don’t get in way of emergency responders

The concept seems so simple: When an emergency responder’s vehicle is racing to a call, pull your vehicle over to the right and stop until the squad car, fire truck or ambulance has gone by.

In fact, the law says that’s exactly what motorists are supposed to do.

And yet this rule seems extremely hard for some people 
to follow, despite of its common-sense approach to public safety.

Everyone who drives a car or other automobile needs to help keep the roads safe when first responders are rushing to offer aid.

Right now, police and firefighters are reminding motorists state law says they have to do exactly that — or face a penalty.

Some cities, including Austin, are stepping up efforts to enforce the statute.

Members of law enforcement in Burnet County say they don’t want to go to those kinds of extremes, but they still want motorists to be cognizant about the rules of the road.

It’s an inescapable fact that drivers just don’t pay attention. Sometimes they’re too busy talking or listening on a cell phone, trying to change the radio or CD, watching children in the rearview mirror as they cut up in the back seat or yakking with a passenger.

These are activities that can prove distracting and dangerous.

It’s not that motorists are trying to endanger first responders. In fact, most everybody pulls over and slows down during an emergency call.

But they don’t stop.

However, the law is clear: When an emergency vehicle is approaching with lights and sirens, you must pull over to the right and come to a stop — even if the emergency vehicle is coming toward you from the other direction.

State law requires drivers to always pull to the right and come to a complete stop whether the emergency vehicle is oncoming or overtaking. Pulling to the right also makes it easier for emergency vehicles to turn across the road, rather than having to wait for passing autos, which hinders response time.

In addition, motorists can’t follow behind an emergency vehicle on a call closer than 500 feet.

Drivers also have to slow down and give those same first responders and officers space at a scene or if a car is pulled over.

By law, drivers have to slow down at least 20 miles per hour below the posted speed limit when they pass. If there’s an alternate lane, motorists should move into it — but still slow down.

Drivers who fail to yield to emergency vehicles can be cited with a Class C misdemeanor, which can lead to fines.

But penalties or not, it’s just a wise course of action to do whatever it takes to make it easier for first responders to get where they’re going. Be a smart driver, and do the right thing.

After all, they could headed on a call to help someone you know or love. You don’t want to be the one who gets in their way, do you?