Be careful out there. . .

An EMT was killed while assisting at a traffic accident here in San Diego. Fortunately, I wasn't there, but I take that route most every time as I drive home. One lane slows for some reason and the other lane is moving. . . blind curve and then there's an even worse accident and an unnecessary death. Sad.

Yes, very tragic. Especially after reading that part of the article where EMT Bahena posted that he loved his job on his Facebook page just hours before he was killed. RIP

A bit tangential to the actual event, but I just happened to be thinking about it this morning--I bet that the vast majority of California drivers have no idea that we have had a "move over" law in this state for several years now. The way that many people drive on the freeway and use the slow lane, or even the right hand exit lane, for passing at high speed has always made me cringe. I certainly wouldn't want to be someone who regularly has to stand by the edge of a freeway.

They need to make a point of enforcing that Move Over law for a while. The word will spread.

Some people who know about it will say, "But there was no room to move over -- traffic wouldn't let me in".

THEN SLOW DOWN and be in control!

Sue

I see people that don't even move over on non highway roads anymore. I see some speed up when they see the flashing lights behind them and others just slow down and stop in the lane they are in and the firetruck/ambulance/police have to come up behind and lay on the horn.

And then there are the ones who only see traffic magically opening up in front of them . . . .

Probably so, they are the ones that want to pass me when I start to pull back into the lane I was in.

She needs to have the book thrown at her. Too often as an EMT you're dodging traffic and trying to get into wrecked cars at teh same time. Folks get away with crap on these scenes all the time, since the cops are already tied up.

Vehicular manslaughter, failure to yield, failure to obey the "move over law," etc. Get everything possible on her, let the media play it up, maybe save someone elses life.

Whatever she was doing, she obviously wasn't in control.

And check her cell phone.

Rain, excess speed, cell phone to ear -- I see it all the time.

Sue

If I see emergency vehicles stopped on the side of the road I pull into the farthest lane from them but a fair number of times I do not see them until I am right up on them, and it is not safe to change lanes.

Its the law in Illinois too. Lots of signs proclaiming it, so no excuses about not knowing its the law.

Then I have to question...

Is it b/c there are lots of hills, curves, obstructions?

Or are you not looking far enough down the road?

AFAIK judging from the news images, the EMT was struck on the back side of a blind curve. That said, traffic had to be slowing, there's most always a good deal of traffic there and any problem starts to back traffic up. I can't understand how this woman was unable to avoid and had so much speed that after that she lost control. Regardless, since I may get tagged with jury duty, I'll reserve judgment.
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It is pretty hard to see flashing lights or cars pulled over during the day from any distance when there is traffic in front of you. Its not unusual for me to not be able to see them until I am within 100 yards or less, and if there is any kind of traffic in the other lane, thats not a lot of distance to work with.

Not having witnessed the event, I will not comment on the fault or no-fault of the driver in this case. My thoughts and prayers go out to the family, friends and co-workers of this EMT and know for certain that but for the grace of God, that I too on numerous occasions may have suffered the same fate.

What I will say, having been in Emergency Services for over 20 years, is that “fault” is a two way street. I have personally witnessed many times when 1st Responders (Police, EMS, Fire/Rescue) have developed tunnel vision or a sense of invulnerability and do not take proper caution when working in potentially hazardous areas. I have had new guys pumped on adrenaline pop out of the apparatus without even looking to see if another vehicle was coming. On the other hand, I have also witnessed (more frequently) the poor judgment of drivers, both in-route to a call and as they approach the scene of an event/accident. Many times when in-route and you are approaching a vehicle from behind, they suddenly realize you are behind them, they freeze, slam on their brakes, forcing you to take evasive action.

Pete

All good points Pete. You're right, safety IS a dependent on watching your own butt too.