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Re: Solve speeding by limiting cars!



In article <48bemg$cuh@news.iag.net>, firebug@iag.net (firebug) wrote:

> In article <randy-1411951810100001@philly48.voicenet.com>,
> Randy <randy@omni.voicenet.com> wrote:
> >In article <4893a6$oar@nntp.atlanta.com>, dwarner@atlanta.com wrote:
> >> I can think of at least one case where limiters would endanger one's life.
> >> Trying to drive someone to the hospital before they die, either in the car
> >> of a friend or relative, or in an ambulance that can't get by a pack of
> >> 65-limited cars that can't speed up to get out of the way.
> >
> >I must contradict this. Ambulance personnel should stabilize the patient
> >PRIOR to transport. As a paramedic, I was bound by those rules. In PA,
> >ambulances must obey ALL laws regardless of the emergency. No sense
> >endangering more lives to save on life, whether transport by ambulance or
> >personal vehicle.
> 
> It's always been my understanding that an ambulance can do whatever it wants
> as long as it's not unreasonably dangerous. This is what they told us in
> driver's ed, this is what I've observed, and it even happens to be what
> Florida law says. (I tried to check NY (where I took driver's ed) and PA
> laws, but couldn't find them on the net, though NY could have it buried a
> dozen levels deep in one of their messy gopher systems).

Following is the PA law regarding Emergency Vehicles (take special note of
subsection D.

BTW, PA laws are not on the net anywhere. I will be putting them on my web
site shortly.

3105.  Drivers of emergency vehicles.
   (a)  General rule.--The driver of an emergency vehicle, when
responding to an emergency call or when in the pursuit of an
actual or suspected violator of the law or when responding to
but not upon returning from a fire alarm, may exercise the
privileges set forth in this section, but subject to the
conditions stated in this section.
   (b)  Exercise of special privileges.--The driver of an
emergency vehicle may:
       (1)  Park or stand, irrespective of the provisions of
   this part.
       (2)  Proceed past a red signal indication or stop sign,
   but only after slowing down as may be necessary for safe
   operation, except as provided in subsection (d).
       (3)  Exceed the maximum speed limits so long as the
   driver does not endanger life or property, except as provided
   in subsection (d).
       (4)  Disregard regulations governing direction of
   movement or turning in specified directions.
   (c)  Audible and visual signals required.--The privileges
granted in this section to an emergency vehicle shall apply only
when the vehicle is making use of an audible signal and visual
signals meeting the requirements and standards set forth in
regulations adopted by the department, except that an emergency
vehicle operated as a police vehicle need not be equipped with
or display the visual signals. An ambulance which is
transporting a patient may use either the lights or the audible
warning system, or both, as determined by the driver of the
ambulance.
   (d)  Ambulances and blood-delivery vehicles.--The driver of
an ambulance or blood-delivery vehicle shall comply with maximum
speed limits, red signal indications and stop signs. After
ascertaining that the ambulance or blood-delivery vehicle will
be given the right-of-way, the driver may proceed through a red
signal indication or stop sign.
   (e)  Exercise of care.--This section does not relieve the
driver of an emergency vehicle from the duty to drive with due
regard for the safety of all persons.


> >> Besides, If my car had a speed governor, I'd just disable it, as most
everyone
> >> else would.
> >
> >Which leads me to believe that you have no regard for law. Are you above
> >the law?
> 
> When you've got as many stupid laws as we do now, you'll find that people
> don't have much regard for law.

The laws may or may not be stupid, but they are laws. You are bound to
abide by them. If you break them, you are a criminal. Do your best to
repeal laws which you think are unfair/unjust.
-- 
Randy


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