Trucks will Stop at Stop Signs
There must be other departments in the U.S. that do this, but this is the first I've read about (from the Casper Star Tribune).
Casper fire engines and other fire department vehicles will stop at all red lights and stop signs under a new driving policy, according to the Casper Fire Department....
"Our mission is to protect lives, not endanger them," said Fire Chief Mark Young.
The policy also includes the use of excessive speed, backing up fire vehicles, parking and avoiding collisions. Officials estimate the new policy will cause an average response delay of less than a minute and the safer driving will more than make up for any delay.
The big quote from the story is "Our mission is to protect lives, not endanger them." It's a simple statement, but rings with truth.
At least once per week, there are articles on the internet regarding a collision involving a fire truck. How many injuries and deaths could we avoid by driving a little slower?
Is stopping at stop signs and red lights the answer? I don't know, but perhaps in that department, it is what is required to ensure safety of the public and the firefighters.
