Stopping or pulling over with Emergency vehicle in Opp Direc

[bus_ter]

Today, for the second time in recent weeks a car in front of me has suddenly slowed down and stopped when an emergency vehicle (an ambulance) was coming in the opposite direction on the other side of the road.

Is there a reason to do this?
I don't see how it assists the emergency vehicle in any way, as you're not impeding it's travel on the other side of the road. If anything it's making it more difficult for them as traffic is doing unpredictable things, and anyone behind the car that suddenly stopped could go in the back if they're not paying attention. I don't understand why other drivers do this?

[2 sMoKiN bArReLs]

Because it's good form to do so?

Often the emergency vehicle will make a third lane in the middle of two lanes where one doesn't exist. (Or pass the "wrong" side of a keep left arrow.

[2 sMoKiN bArReLs]

The Highway Code says: When one approaches do not panic. Consider the route of such a vehicle and take appropriate action to let it pass

I read that as from either direction.

[Dogwatch]

I think it’s a case of thinking “blue lights = hit the brakes” without any analysis of the situation.
I was in a line of traffic navigating through single lane roadworks when blue lights appeared back down the queue. Bloke a few cars ahead about to exit the coned area (ironically) slammed on his brakes. Nothing could move.

[donkmeister]

2 sMoKiN bArReLs said:

The Highway Code says: When one approaches do not panic. Consider the route of such a vehicle and take appropriate action to let it pass

I read that as from either direction.

This.

Additionally, emergency vehicle drivers look for some sort of positive confirmation that they've been seen by other road users. All the oncoming cars slowing down and moving close to the kerb is one such acknowledgement. If one car doesn't do that then the risk that said oncoming car will do something stupid goes further up the probability axis.

For every driver muttering "why should I slow down?" there's another who has completely missed the fluorescent stripey van with blue flashing lights.

[donkmeister]

Dogwatch said:

I think it’s a case of thinking “blue lights = hit the brakes” without any analysis of the situation.

That might account for some, as you have highlighted. However the majority is precisely because they HAVE analysed the situation and have spotted that this will make room for the ambulance.

It's one of the few situations you see road users working together as a general rule, instead of the prevailing "me first, fk you" attitude.

[Richard-D]

I wouldn't stop unless I'd seen that they were approaching an obstruction on their side of the road and stopping meant that the ambulance could go round it without waiting.

Even when their side is completely clear I move nearer to the kerb to allow the ambulance more space. Your eyes are on stalks when driving an emergency vehicle, so any extra room and being able to tell that people have seen you is helpful. It may just allow them to avoid a pot hole to help people working in the back.

[2 sMoKiN bArReLs]

Dogwatch said:

I think it’s a case of thinking “blue lights = hit the brakes” without any analysis of the situation.
I was in a line of traffic navigating through single lane roadworks when blue lights appeared back down the queue. Bloke a few cars ahead about to exit the coned area (ironically) slammed on his brakes. Nothing could move.

Without doubt the consider the route the emergency vehicle might take is the key.

Similarly, stopping in a silly place is the emergency vehicle is behind you is a no no.

[2 sMoKiN bArReLs]

I don't think anybody would stop on a dual carriageway if an ambulance was going the other way

[John D.]

donkmeister said:

2 sMoKiN bArReLs said:

The Highway Code says: When one approaches do not panic. Consider the route of such a vehicle and take appropriate action to let it pass

I read that as from either direction.

This.

Additionally, emergency vehicle drivers look for some sort of positive confirmation that they've been seen by other road users. All the oncoming cars slowing down and moving close to the kerb is one such acknowledgement. If one car doesn't do that then the risk that said oncoming car will do something stupid goes further up the probability axis.

For every driver muttering "why should I slow down?" there's another who has completely missed the fluorescent stripey van with blue flashing lights.

Equally, randomly stopping for no benefit to the approaching ambulance can just jam the road up further on. There needs to be a bit of brain engagement.

[2 sMoKiN bArReLs]

John D. said:

donkmeister said:

2 sMoKiN bArReLs said:

The Highway Code says: When one approaches do not panic. Consider the route of such a vehicle and take appropriate action to let it pass

I read that as from either direction.

This.

Additionally, emergency vehicle drivers look for some sort of positive confirmation that they've been seen by other road users. All the oncoming cars slowing down and moving close to the kerb is one such acknowledgement. If one car doesn't do that then the risk that said oncoming car will do something stupid goes further up the probability axis.

For every driver muttering "why should I slow down?" there's another who has completely missed the fluorescent stripey van with blue flashing lights.

Equally, randomly stopping for no benefit to the approaching ambulance can just jam the road up further on. There needs to be a bit of brain engagement.

Exactly. Consider what the emergency vehicle might do is the key.

[BertBert]

I'm with the OP on this, just daft behavior.

[2 sMoKiN bArReLs]

BertBert said:

I'm with the OP on this, just daft behavior.

Not in every circumstance surely? I'd deffo hang back from a set of traffic lights if I were the first vehicle & all the lanes were blocked for the oncoming ambulance.

It's definitely a case of being sensible in the circumstances & consider what the approaching emergency vehicle might wish to do.

[Nibbles_bits]

It's actually quite helpful if you do this, even if the emergency vehicle is heading in the opposite direction

1) a driver going in the same direction might not be aware of the emergency vehicle and by you slowing down, that driver may wonder what's going on and check their surroundings

2) the driver going in the same direction as the emergency vehicle may decide that they won't bother slowing down or will stop opposite a traffic island, and the emergency vehicle will have to consider an overtake, which might be easier if the vehicle coming in the opposite direction slows down.

Obviously number 2 is far more likely.

[Super Sonic]

BertBert said:

I'm with the OP on this, just daft behavior.

Stopping at random without looking what the ambulance is doing is daft behaviour.
Looking at what is happening then moving over in case the ambulance needs room is sensible.
It's all about observation and acting accordingly, like a lot of driving. There isn't a single set action suitable for all circumstances.

[Leptons]

Seen this bks on facebook this week. Even the Ambulance drivers couldn’t agree on the rights or wrongs.

There is no right or wrong answer, just use your brain. Appreciate that’s hard for some people…

[LosingGrip]

Nibbles_bits said:

It's actually quite helpful if you do this, even if the emergency vehicle is heading in the opposite direction

1) a driver going in the same direction might not be aware of the emergency vehicle and by you slowing down, that driver may wonder what's going on and check their surroundings

2) the driver going in the same direction as the emergency vehicle may decide that they won't bother slowing down or will stop opposite a traffic island, and the emergency vehicle will have to consider an overtake, which might be easier if the vehicle coming in the opposite direction slows down.

Obviously number 2 is far more likely.

It's more annoying for me as 95% of the time it's when the car in front slows down and they stop next to each other...

[poo at Paul's]

bus_ter said:

Today, for the second time in recent weeks a car in front of me has suddenly slowed down and stopped when an emergency vehicle (an ambulance) was coming in the opposite direction on the other side of the road.

Is there a reason to do this?
I don't see how it assists the emergency vehicle in any way, as you're not impeding it's travel on the other side of the road. If anything it's making it more difficult for them as traffic is doing unpredictable things, and anyone behind the car that suddenly stopped could go in the back if they're not paying attention. I don't understand why other drivers do this?

It’s because they’re dipsts.

[2 sMoKiN bArReLs]

Leptons said:

Seen this bks on facebook this week. Even the Ambulance drivers couldn’t agree on the rights or wrongs.

There is no right or wrong answer, just use your brain. Appreciate that’s hard for some people…

[ATG]

2 sMoKiN bArReLs said:

BertBert said:

I'm with the OP on this, just daft behavior.

Not in every circumstance surely? I'd deffo hang back from a set of traffic lights if I were the first vehicle & all the lanes were blocked for the oncoming ambulance.

It's definitely a case of being sensible in the circumstances & consider what the approaching emergency vehicle might wish to do.

At lights or if the on-coming ambulance is being held up traffic on their side of the road, then it makes sense to try to get out of their way, but I see people doing what the OP describes and it is unhelpful. The ambulance is making unencumbered progress in their lane and plankton-brain on the other side of the road decides to heave to. It creates no additional room for the ambulance. It risks surprising drivers behind plankton-brain and doing unexpected things is a great way of helping other people to make mistakes.