First Responders face many risks as part of their profession, among the greatest of the risks is emergency vehicle crashes.
This past weekend, a MedStar ambulance was broadsided at an intersection while responding to an emergency call.
Thankfully, there were no major injuries, but it serves as a good reminder to all drivers to please drive with caution, and please do not drive distracted!
A recent study found that the national crash rate is 4.6 per 100,000 responses when ambulances are traveling without lights and sirens, and the crash rate increases to 5.5 when lights and sirens are used.
To reduce risk to the public, and our team members, MedStar uses an evidence-based system to determine whether or not a 9-1-1 call for medical assistance requires a lights and siren response based on the clinical needs of the patient. We respond to approximately 31% of our 9-1-1 calls without the use of lights and sirens.
MedStar’s crash rate is 3.0 per 100,000 responses.
Again, we encourage all area motorists to please keep a watchful eye out for first response vehicles responding to emergency calls!
