How should an ambulance be positioned when on an active roadway?

When positioning an ambulance on an active roadway, it is crucial to ensure the safety of both the emergency responders and other road users. The correct positioning involves angling the driver’s side away from the flowing traffic. This orientation allows for several important safety benefits.

Firstly, by having the driver’s side of the ambulance facing away from oncoming traffic, the vehicle provides a barrier that protects crew members who are entering or exiting the vehicle. It minimizes the risk of being struck by vehicles passing in the same direction as the ambulance.

Secondly, this angling can help alert other drivers to the presence of emergency responders, as the ambulance itself is more visible when positioned in a manner that stands out to traffic. When the ambulance is angled away, it also helps create a safer space for patient care and other operations to occur outside of the vehicle while remaining more protected from traffic.

While alternative positions such as being parallel or perpendicular to traffic have their uses, they do not provide the same level of safety and protection for the responders and patients as the chosen optimal angle does.