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.

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