Moving over for an Ambulance going the other way?

[Mafioso]

Why do people do this? Let me set the scene: I'm traveling in a 30mph straight road with a car in front of me and completely clear on the other side of the road. Then along comes an ambulance with its blues on at speed coming from the other way and past us. Why does the car in front brake and dive into the gutter causing me to slow too? Is there suddenly not enough room for 2 vehicles to pass each other on a single carriageway road? Baffles me, this.

Anyone else seen this?

[Kong]

I often see this as well.

Mafioso said:

Why do people do this?

Because they are morons.

HTH

[Allyc85]

Kong said:

I often see this as well.

Mafioso said:

Why do people do this?

Because they are morons.

HTH

Sadly so

[Mafioso]

Kong said:

I often see this as well.

Mafioso said:

Why do people do this?

Because they are morons.

HTH

Does seem to be the answer to many woes on the road today...

[citizen_smith]

I've even seen people do this on dual carriageways and motorways! FFS people have no brains.

[GadgeS3C]

Probably the same folks that hit the brakes because any vehicle is coming the other way?

Why has already been answered

[clabcon]

If the other side is clear and that happens, I retain position and go for a swift overtake once ambulance has passed. The other drivers usually still fumbling about in the gutter.

[Jasandjules]

If the other side of the road is clear then I have no idea why they would do that.

[BadRotorFinger]

See it every Shift, makes me laugh! Won't they just carry on!! Opposite to those that stop next to obstructions, such as traffic islands, d1ckheads.

Edited by BadRotorFinger on Friday 7th January 17:53

[durbster]

I'd guess moving over is probably just a way to tell the ambulance driver that you've acknowledged his existence. I'm not sure why people would slow down though.

When I move over for motorbikes I do it in an over-dramatic way to make it obvious it's for their benefit. I'm not a biker so I dunno if it works or not but I usually get an appreciative wave

[Ruskie]

People acknowledging the ambulance is there. As already stated better than the blocking the road like a large percentage of morons do.

[R1 Loon]

durbster said:

I'd guess moving over is probably just a way to tell the ambulance driver that you've acknowledged his existence. I'm not sure why people would slow down though.

When I move over for motorbikes I do it in an over-dramatic way to make it obvious it's for their benefit. I'm not a biker so I dunno if it works or not but I usually get an appreciative wave

We do appreciate it, but please don't slow down, as there's no need.

Back on topic, I think it's a "blue light reaction" ie see blue lights and hit the brakes, similar to scamera reactions, I see people in traffic jams braking when they go past a scamera even if the queue is barely moving, or just as annoying braking for Gatsos on the other siode of the road.

[TheLurker]

R1 Loon said:

durbster said:

I'd guess moving over is probably just a way to tell the ambulance driver that you've acknowledged his existence. I'm not sure why people would slow down though.

When I move over for motorbikes I do it in an over-dramatic way to make it obvious it's for their benefit. I'm not a biker so I dunno if it works or not but I usually get an appreciative wave

We do appreciate it, but please don't slow down, as there's no need.

Makes my day when I help a biker past and get a cheery wave in return

I guess the amublance reaction is due to people not being able to assess the situation fast enough, and do the first thing they think of, which is slow down and get out of the way.

[davidjpowell]

I will move over just to show that I am aware of their presence and am not in any way get in their way. Also after hearing stories from a former fire engine driver the further I am away from an emergency vehicle the better.

ETA will not slow down though, unless the emergency vehicle needs access to my lane. In which case due to the spirit of patience I will stop and wait for it to go.

[masermartin]

Mafioso said:

Why do people do this?

Because so many people going the same way as the Ambo don't move over, therefore if I do it as well, at least the crew have a fighting chance. And also as above, I don't fancy having a head on with a 4 ton Ambo at a combined 60+ when it has to swerve to avoid something.

[volvoforlife]

Its just normal panic reaction to blues & twos. Get out of the way, you don't want to be the one that obstructs them and causes a scene.

[aizvara]

masermartin said:

Mafioso said:

Why do people do this?

Because so many people going the same way as the Ambo don't move over, therefore if I do it as well, at least the crew have a fighting chance. And also as above, I don't fancy having a head on with a 4 ton Ambo at a combined 60+ when it has to swerve to avoid something.

Yeah, I had this with a police car - queue of slow moving traffic the other way were mostly all too busy or annoyed being delayed to consider pulling over for the police, so I, being the only car coming the other way, did. Got an exasperated eye roll and nod of thanks, too, so I obviously wasn't being completely stupid in doing so.

[petrolsniffer]

davidjpowell said:

I will move over just to show that I am aware of their presence and am not in any way get in their way. Also after hearing stories from a former fire engine driver the further I am away from an emergency vehicle the better.

ETA will not slow down though, unless the emergency vehicle needs access to my lane. In which case due to the spirit of patience I will stop and wait for it to go.

[wibble cb]

happens here in Canada a lot as well, I got shouted at by my other half once (for not stopping), I pointed out we were on a straight road and the only traffic was us and the ambulance coming the otherway, so why do I need to pull over?? - stoney silence ensued!!