Anyone ever notice how slow ambulances drive with their lights on?

[red324]

Is there a reason for this? Maybe they don't want to throw the people around in back? Although I think they all strap in.

[Quackthulu2]

Depends on a few factors. An ambulance is a big ass heavy vehicle. So it takes more time to start and stop. And having the lights on doesn’t mean they can drive however they want. They usually drive lights on before they get to the patient. They only drives code 4 (lights and siren) with the patient if it’s something really serious. In which case there is usually at least one paramedic in the back of the thing moving around doing stuff to try and save someone’s life. If they start driving 60 in a 40 zone they are putting a lot of people in unnecessary risk.

[Anonymous]

I've rode in an ambulance before. They go fast when they're on their way to save someone and they go slower when they have someone in the back that they're trying to save. They go slower so the patient doesn't end up more injured and so the doctors can do what they need to do to keep the person alive.

[Heterosketero]

There is a reason for it. Unless optimal driving conditions are present EMS will go the speed limit and drive very cautiously for two reasons, firstly, to ensure no further harm to the transported casualty, secondly, to avoid further acidents by being panicked. In first aid scenarios, you should follow these guidelines as well. Every bump, swerve, deceleration, could be the difference between walking out of a hospital, or rolling out un a wheelchair in a spinal injury or unconscious casualty. I hope this helps.

[Anonymous]

An ambulance is a big van and generally quite heavy.

Most places have a limit on the speed it's allowed to go to be no more than 10-20% more than the road's posted speed limit due to safety factors. Also high speeds = more braking on a heavy van there's the body dive which isn't good for the crew of paramedics who may be standing to treat the patient.

[Sour-rose]

Maybe not to slow down because some dumbass thought they were morre important and in a hurry and ran in front of them so now they gotta slow down to treat that person they ran into.

[jennifer_bloom]

It might be because you have paramedics who might be standing up to offer life assistance to the strapped in patient and going to fast might topple them over.

[LiamJHayden]

Could depend upon the injuries to the occupant and to the traffic conditions. People who listen to loud music often fail to yield.

[red324]

The wind makes it hard to hear too. You won't hear an ambulance coming up behind you if you're doing 50 or 60