I have driven ambulances and other emergency vehicles since 1985, from Los Angeles to Maine, and spent my fair share of time on the wrong side of the road but never been involved in an accident. I think it is fair for me to comment from experience on this subject.

Traffic laws afford special priveliges to emergency vehicles, and rightly so. But it is the full responsibility of the operator to protect themselves, and also every other driver they may come in contact with. Protecting and serving the public extends to the driver-seat as much as it does to the patient compartment.

Bad things do happen, but is appears most of the recent reports point toward operator error. Poor judgement is unacceptable for any driver, especially that of an emergency vehicle whom we expect to be an example of skill and safety. Yet, so many times I have seen drivers respond for a patient “not feeling well” as if they were primary ALS for an infant not-breathing.

The problem, in a nutshell, is training; consistent, on-going training… and the experience gained from it.