We heard the sirens long before we saw the ambulance. It was moving toward us with a full array of lights and sirens going. Somewhere there was an emergency.
Now, at 16, while learning to drive, I was taught that emergency vehicles had the right-of-way. That means I should get out of the way so they can pass.
During the course of 31 years of driving, I have had the opportunity to talk to police officers and ambulance drivers who advised, "Just stop where you are. If you try to move to get out of the way, it's harder for us to get safely around you."
Good advice. So I sat tight.
But apparently other drivers in Memphis were never taught this. Even as the ambulance entered my field of vision, a driver in the turn lane decided to jump across the intersection - in the direct path of the ambulance - to beat it. That seemed to be a successful move, so a second driver jumped through the intersection.
At this point, the ambulance had to come to a complete stop. And still, with lights flashing and sirens blaring, a third car turned across its path.
The sounding horn from the ambulance drowned out the EMT shouting, "Get the F*** out of the way!"
A similar occurrence happened today, so I know it's not limited to those three drivers. I was stopped at a traffic light when I heard the siren. Again, I couldn't see it -- I didn't know if it was coming up from behind me, or over the hill in front of me, or to one side or the other. My traffic signal turned to green -- I was free to cross -- but again, I sat tight.
Right then, in the lane to my right, a car jumped into the intersection. I braced for the collision and said a quick prayer: "Lord, please don't let flying debris hit my truck!"
Fortunately, the police officer was paying attention -- he's probably experienced this a hundred times -- and he slowed down to let the car pass.
Suddenly an SUV also bolted through the intersection, forcing the police car to come to a complete stop while the cars drove on through.
Friends, this is more than a pet peeve. This is life-or-death serious stuff.
What if that was your grandmother in the back of that ambulance? What if the police officer was responding to your call for help?
I just want to know from those inconsiderate drivers: Is what you were doing more important than the work of these emergency responders?
I don't think so.