Clearwater Fire & Rescue is beginning a new program to reinforce the importance of yielding to emergency vehicles. It's called Move Aside. Once a semester a firefighter will visit local high school driver education classes, teaching young drivers the "dos and don'ts" of how to react when crossing paths with an emergency vehicle.
Many drivers hear the sirens and see the lights, but don't get out of the way. Some try to outrun or follow emergency vehicles. This is not only dangerous, but it's illegal! We're partnering with Clearwater P.D. School Resource Officers in this effort. We want teenage drivers to understand why they should take sirens seriously and know how to react when it's time for them to Move Aside.
Move Aside kicks off Wednesday, March 14th at Clearwater High School. We will visit Countryside High School driver education classes next week. If you would like more information on this campaign, please contact Elizabeth Daly at the contact information at the top of the page.
Emergency Response Tips for Drivers: SIREN
S= Stay alert. Drive defensively, keep the noise down in your car and look for more than one emergency vehicle when you hear a siren.
I= Investigate. Check your rear view mirror, scan in front and on both sides, try
to estimate the closing speed and plan your next move.
R= React. React quickly, but calmly. Scan all directions before pulling over.
Always use a signal and don't slam on the brakes or pull over suddenly.
E= Enter. Before re-entering the roadway, check all directions, signal, and
gradually merge back into traffic. Watch for additional emergency vehicles.
N= Never. Don't stop at a place that does not have enough room to pull over
safely. Never try to outrun or follow an emergency vehicle.
*acronym provided by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration
