In New York State, among other places, volunteer fire and EMS personnel are given what is called a “courtesy light” that is either red, blue, green, amber or white (depending on your state’s rules and regulations on emergency vehicles). While this light does not entitle the vehicle to the same legal privileges as an emergency vehicle (i.e, you’re not legally required by law to pull over), the purpose is the same.

So please, if you see an EMT or fireman rushing somewhere with a flashing light in their vehicle, pull over. Think of it this way, when you’re in trouble and you need an ambulance, it doesn’t matter how fast the ambulance can get there if it doesn’t have people to drive it and to take care of you when it arrives.

So many times, people just ignore my light and keep driving. I usually assume they don’t know what it means, but it pisses me off. Today, this one lady not only would not yield the right of way to me, she drove below the speed limit while talking on her phone.

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