ABSTRACTS
Giving Right-of-Way to Emergency Ambulances: Attitude and Behavior of Road Users in Developing CountriesAuthor: Mahmoud Alwidyan | | Associate Authors: Ahmad Alrawashdeh | Alaa Oteir
Background
Emergency medical service (EMS) providers use ambulance lights and sirens (L&S) to expedite their travel and to warn road users. Inappropriate road user behavior could delay ambulance response time and increase crash rates. This study aimed to assess the attitude and behavior of road users in response to EMS ambulances with warning L&S in use. Methods: Results A total of 1302 questionnaires were complete and appropriate for analysis. The mean age was 34.2 (SD ± 11.4) years, and the majority were males (72.6%). About half of road users (47.9%) in our sample would perform inappropriate action in response to EMS ambulances with L&S in use. The multivariate logistic regression model show that being female (OR, 0.63; 95% CI = 0.48-0.81), more educated (OR, 0.68; 95% CI = 0.53-0.86), or public transport driver (OR, 0.55; 95% CI = 0.34-0.90) is significantly associated with inappropriate response to EMS ambulances. Additionally, a significant proportion of road users may perform inappropriate and lawless driving practices such as crossing red traffic lights or following the passing by EMS ambulances, which would, in turn, increase the risk on ambulances and other road users. Conclusions A large proportion of road users in Jordan may respond inappropriately to the EMS ambulances and many engage in risky driving behaviors due perhaps to the lack of procedural knowledge. Policy-related interventions and educational programs are crucially needed to increase public awareness of the traffic law concerning EMS ambulances and to enhance appropriate driving behavior which, in turn, improves the efficiency of ambulance services.
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