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Should civilians be allowed to use their hazard lights as an emergency signal when they drive to the hospital?
Results so far:
| Yes | 73% | 344 votes | Total: 469 votes | |
| No | 27% | 125 votes |
Yes
by Miranda Pierson
Created on: July 06, 2010
Civilians should be allowed to use their hazard lights as an emergency signal when they drive to the hospital. Although hazard lights are typically used for vehicles that are pulled over to the side of the road, they can also be used to alert other drivers of an emergency. When individuals need to be transported to the hospital, they need to arrive there as rapidly as possible. When a medical emergency occurs, many individuals will be transported to the hospital in an ambulance. The flashing lights on the ambulance alert the other drivers that the individual within the vehicle needs to be transported to the hospital immediately. However, when a person is not transported to the hospital in an ambulance, they may still need to arrive at the hospital as soon as possible. If there are no flashing lights on the car to alert the other drivers, then no one will know that a medical emergency is taking place. The use of hazard lights can help those who are not in an ambulance to be transported to the hospital quickly, and to receive the medical care that they need.
While using an ambulance is the best possible option for those who need immediate medical care, this does not always occur. Sometimes, a person may not want to call an ambulance. They may feel better if a friend or a family member drives them to the hospital. Also, some people may be intimidated by an ambulance. Nevertheless, driving appears as the better alternative. The usual assumption associated with driving to the hospital is that the sick individual is not having an emergency. At times this assumption may be true, but it is not always true. When people go to the hospital, they usually want to be seen as fast as possible. Therefore, they want to arrive at the hospital as soon as possible. A regular car has no way of warning the other drivers of the medical problem. This inhibits the person in the car from receiving the medical treatment that they need. If regular cars were allowed to use their hazard lights as an emergency signal, then at least the other drivers would realize that there is a problem.
The use of hazard lights should only occur in an emergency situation. For example, if an individual is just driving to the hospital because he or she works there, then that is not an emergency. If an individual is sick and needs immediate treatment, then that is an emergency. One of the reasons why some people may not agree with the use of hazard lights as a signal when driving to the hospital is because people may take advantage. This is a definite concern. After all, the safer approach to an emergency situation would be to call an ambulance. However, there should be guidelines as to when people can use their hazard lights when driving to the hospital. It could help to save the life of the patient.
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No
by Eve Mager
Created on: March 31, 2009 Last Updated: April 03, 2009
In times of an emergency, people want to get their loved ones to the hospital as quick as possibly. Some people believe that driving the person in a civilian vehicle and signaling with hazard lights is a safe and effective way to get to the hospital fast.
However; using hazards lights on a civilian vehicle is not a good way to expedite your arrival at the hospital. First of all; hazard lights on civilian vehicles are designed and used to signal vehicles that are moving at speeds well below the posted speed limit, or vehicles that are at a full stop.
This historical meaning of hazards lights means that other drivers on the road are expecting the vehicle with the hazard lights to slow down or stop - not speed out of a parking lot, drive on the other side of the road, and take a crazy left-hand turn (not that you should ever drive like this even when you are trying to get to the hospital).
Also, hazard lights are the same color as regular signal lights. This means that someone in front, or approaching the civilian vehicle my think that the vehicle is signaling to turn, and not trying to get to the hospital. At best one can only see a few vehicles around them. It is very difficult to see a vehicle approaching with flashing hazard lights. Hazard lights on cars also do not contain sirens, the traditional signal of a vehicle trying to get to the hospital or another emergency.
The best method to get any injured person to the hospital quickly is to call an ambulance. Not only are the drivers of ambulances trained to drive quickly, they have proper alarms and sirens that signal to other traffic that there is an emergency. Also, ambulances are equipped with medical equipment and trained medical professionals, which means that your loved one will be getting medical attention sooner.
Even if an ambulance is not an option, driving to the hospital with a loved one and trying to signal with your hazard lights will only confuse drivers. The meaning of this traditional light cannot be changed in an instant, or even overnight. It is also good to remember that driving a loved one to the hospital is dangerous because half of your attention is on the injured party and not on the road. The best practice when in and emergency is to drive slowly and cautiously. Follow the rules of the road and arrive at the hospital in one piece, instead of arriving in an ambulance yourself.
Learn more about this author, Eve Mager.
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