The Traffic Accident Reconstruction Origin -ARnews-

Re: Can you see and hear the lights and siren?

Michael A. Knox (mknox@mediaone.net)
Thu, 31 Dec 1998 14:09:59 -0500 (EST)

The statement regarding emergency vehicles having to obey all traffic regulations and being found at fault if they do not is not accurate. In Florida, emergency vehicles which are either responding to an emergency or are in pursuit of a violator, may disregard traffic regulations affecting the speed and movement of vehicles (e.g., lane useage, turn only, etc.) provided that:

1. the emergency vehicle is displaying EITHER a flashing red or blue light OR is giving audible signal (siren, bell, whistle, etc.), and,

2. the driver of the emergency vehicle uses due care toward other motorists and pedestrians.

With regard to the issue of hearing the siren, I agree with other responses in this thread which indicate that you would need to duplicate the circumstances, making certain to duplicate the approach speed of the emergency vehicle as well as the exact siren type, mode, and speaker (including how the speaker is mounted on or in the E.V.).

If you view it from a standpoint of who acted reasonably, I can say, having had many miles experience driving in emergency mode, you don't run a red light until you KNOW everyone at or approaching that intersection has seen you and is stopped. But given the scenario you explained, the driver of the fire truck might not give the same consideration if he had the green light. Whether or not the siren could be heard may be an issue in this case, but who actually had the light might really be the only way to determine liability.

Officer Michael A. Knox
DUI Enforcement Unit
Jacksonville (FL) Sheriff's Office

http://www.se.mediaone.net/~mknox
Michael A. Knox
mknox@mediaone.net

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