February 15, 2005 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE (SH2005-11) FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION R. Steve Huffman Public Information Officer (251) 208-5806/Fax: (251) 208-5813 E-Mail: huffman@cityofmobile.org SAFETY TIPS FOR MOTORISTS DURING EMERGENCIES In light of a recent accident involving a Mobile Fire-Rescue ladder truck and an SUV, Mobile Fire Officials want to remind drivers that they should never attempt to pass an emergency vehicle while that emergency vehicle is responding with emergency lights and sirens. All motorists should stay at least 500 feet behind emergency vehicles when said vehicle is responding on an emergency call. Large emergency vehicles, such as fire trucks and ambulances must, in most cases, swing wide to make turns on most streets. Also when you see an emergency vehicle approaching you should safely pull to the right side of the road to give the emergency vehicle a clear path. Most emergency vehicles will travel in the left lane of four lane roads during emergency calls when possible. If traveling down a two-lane road they will need both sides of traffic to pull to the right in order to travel safely down the middle of the road. On Sunday, February 13, 2005 a Mobile Fire-Rescue ladder truck was responding to a possible structure fire on Carston Court. The ladder truck was responding down Dauphin Street and when it approached Catherine Street is swung out to make the turn and an SUV tried to pass the ladder truck causing the SUV to run into the side of the truck and pinning it against a light pole. No injuries were reported in the incident. ###