Everyone is probably familiar with the tragic loss of two Sumrall Fire Fighters that took place last week. Sadly, this is just the latest incident in a string of accidents that have injured or killed those who work to protect you and I. I will not use this forum to discuss the details of that incident which has been widely reported by the news media. The suspect in that case will have his day in court where the facts will come out. However, it is a solemn reminder of an all too forgotten common courtesy and Mississippi statute: It is the law to make space for emergency vehicles on the side of the roadway. Simply put, move over means move over.
My daily commute takes me on about seven miles of Interstate 59 each day. This morning, there was a disabled semi-truck on the pull-off shoulder. His flashers were on and the reflective orange triangles were in place at the rear. Out of the line of five or so cars that were in the right lane, only two of us moved to the left to give room. As a matter of fact, one car actually attempted to pass me in the right lane. Are we that busy in our day to day lives? The utter disregard for human life that we see on our roadways is mind-boggling. Mr. Robert Rhodes, an older gentleman from the Bay Springs area that I have the pleasure of knowing once summed it up nicely: “If I have to get anywhere that fast, I think I’ll just leave earlier.”
Having spent the last fifteen years as a Paramedic working the roadways, I cannot stress how dangerous it has become. Many times, it is just a single ambulance, police car, or fire vehicle that is attempting to render aid with two, three, and sometimes, four lanes of traffic moving at interstate speeds. New cars making driving a pleasure with little road noise; you cannot understand how fast 70 MPH is until you are standing still watching cars zoom by less than three feet away. To make matters worse, many drivers will “zone in” on the incident and completely ignore the emergency personnel on scene.
Of course, police, fire, and EMS crews are aware of the danger. However, we are sometimes overcome by our duty to render aid and our focus falters. Imagine yourself only feet from an open interstate lane with a screaming patient that will die without your intervention. Would you lose track of your surroundings from time-to-time? I have on numerous occasions. We rely on motorists to obey the law and give us a wide berth. The consequences of noncompliance are staggering. I can think of no greater tragedy than a person becoming injured or killed in an attempt help their fellow man. It’s like seeing a guardian angel become hurt or killed.
Mississippi passed legislation in June of 2007 called the “Move Over” law. This statute requires motorist to move at least one lane away from emergency vehicles that are parked on the roadside with lights flashing. This law also encompasses tow trucks and highway maintenance vehicles. New legislation recently passed in the Mississippi Senate would add postal vehicles to the fold, which I fully support. In theory, violators could be fined as much as $250 per occurrence, however, common sense dictates that moving over is a good idea. If you are one a two-lane road and can’t yield right-of-way, slow down! Give us time to see your approach and react to it. I will ask again, are we that busy in our lives that we cannot move over and reduce our speed for those that are working to protect us? Please, give us a break: obey the law and let us do our jobs. The person that we are assisting might just be your family.
AUTHORS NOTE: This column was a departure from my usual topics of general healthcare. I appreciate you giving me the chance to say what was on my mind. I realize that there are good motorists out there and it is unfair to lump everyone into the same group. However, police, fire, and EMS work what is consistently considered one of the most stressful jobs in America. Let’s not add to the pressures of this occupation. Am I protective of the men and women who risk their own safety for ours? You bet I am and I will continue to defend those who have signed a blank check that can be paid with their own lives to protect another. If I can open the eyes of just a few folks out there, I will consider my job done. Stay safe out there.
M. Eric Williams, MS, NR-P is a syndicated columnist and the Assistant Director of Emergency Medical Technology Education at Jones County Junior College. He is a current Doctoral Researcher at Delta State University and has 15 years’ experience in Emergency Medicine. If you have questions or comments, you may contact him at eric.williams@jcjc.edu
