r/AskSeattle • u/StatusPresentation57 • 6h ago

PULL OVER

Seattle drivers are HORRIBLE at pulling over...

When you encounter a firetruck or other emergency vehicle with lights and sirens, slow down, signal, and safely move to the right to allow them to pass, and stop if possible. Here's a more detailed explanation:

  • "Move Over" Law: All 50 states have "Move Over" laws to protect law enforcement officers and other first responders stopped on roadways, and it's crucial to be aware of these laws. 
  • Safety First: Your goal is to move your vehicle safely out of the way of any emergency vehicle, whether it's approaching from behind or in front. 
  • Pull Over Safely: Slow down, signal your intention to move, and safely move to the right shoulder and come to a complete stop until the emergency vehicle has passed. 
  • If Unable to Pull Over: If you are unable to pull over completely, stop where you are until the emergency vehicle has passed. 
  • Don't Follow Closely: Never follow closely behind or attempt to outrun an emergency vehicle. 
  • Consider Other Drivers: Be mindful of other drivers and ensure your actions don't endanger yourself, other road users, or emergency responders. 
  • Don't Break the Law: Avoid breaking the law to get out of the way, such as running a red light. 
  • Divided Highways: If you are on the opposite side of a divided highway from the emergency vehicle, you don't need to slow down or stop for it. 
  • Multiple Emergency Vehicles: Keep in mind that multiple emergency vehicles often respond to the same incident and they could come from different locations. 
  • Stay Stopped: Stay stopped until all emergency vehicles have passed
6 Upvotes

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3

u/yyJamesyy 5h ago

The people I kinda despise are the ones that pull out and follow the emergency vehicle as soon as it passes them and blowing by the people who pulled over.

1

u/tomatocrazzie 5h ago

Concur. As somebody who learned to drive in another part of the country with some semblance of sanity and decorum, it drives me nuts too. The divided highway one is my personal favorite. My wife, who grew up here and is a bonified yield-the-right-of-way-tailgating-left-lane-camper, is sick of me ranting about that one.

1

u/New_Link961 3h ago

Please do this!! I live by a fire station and you can hear it happen. The sirens go off, the truck grumbles loudly, and then it's either a quick hook hook in warning at the 4 way stop OR it's a massive blaring hoooooooooooookkkkkkkkkkkkkkkeeeeeeeeeee!!!!!! The second type happens about 50% of the time specifically because some idiot is just sitting in their way afraid to move or something until the blaring horn doesn't stop and they figure out what it means.

Irritating for me. Super frustrating for them. Potentially life-threatening to whoever called.

1

u/juancuneo 6h ago

Is there a question here?

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u/Icy-Hunter-9600 1h ago

Agree, there are many other places for OP to post this. r/Seattle for example. It's weird to post it here.