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NewsMarch 20, 1995

The phone's ringing, the radio's too loud and you don't like your neighbor's attitude -- and you're in your car. With all of the options -- or distractions -- newer automobiles have to offer, it's understandable that emergency vehicles encounter some problems when responding to calls for help...

The phone's ringing, the radio's too loud and you don't like your neighbor's attitude -- and you're in your car.

With all of the options -- or distractions -- newer automobiles have to offer, it's understandable that emergency vehicles encounter some problems when responding to calls for help.

"In some of the newer cars, they're more sound-proof and people don't hear the siren until we're right up on them," said Terry Gettings, an emergency medical technician with the North Scott County Ambulance District. "It startles a lot of people. The main thing to always remember is to stay calm and go the farthest to the right as possible."

Officer William Bohnert of the Cape Girardeau Police Department said most people react correctly when they see emergency vehicles approaching. He said each motorist's reaction depends on the individual.

"Some people pay attention to their driving, and others don't," he said. "Most people file to the right or stay in the turn lane or do whatever to try and get out of the way."

According to the Missouri Revised Statutes, a flashing red or blue light in the front of an emergency vehicle or a siren should prompt a motorist to drive "as far as possible to the right" of the highway. The statute says motorists should stop until the emergency vehicle has passed.

"And with all of the new technology inside the car and the sound-proofing," Bohnert said, "you never know what to expect from other drivers."

Gettings and Bohnert agree that motorists should do whatever is safe in order to give the right-of-way to an emergency vehicle.

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"Slow down before you get off on the shoulder," Gettings said. "Don't overreact. With our lights and siren, what we're doing is asking permission to have the right-of-way."

Gettings said emergency vehicles are being equipped with strobe lights to get the attention of drivers who otherwise might not hear sirens in their sound-proof cars.

In addition to emergency vehicles, some motorists -- now surrounded by gadgets -- aren't sure how to react to funeral processions.

"And that depends on the person," said Rick Guilliams, a funeral director with McCombs Funeral Home in Jackson. "If you going in the same direction on a two-lane, I don't think you should pass the procession. If you're on a four lane, that's a touchy situation, and it's going to vary from family to family. But I would say it's all right to pass."

Guilliams said by pulling over on a two-lane highway when meeting a funeral procession, it shows respect. He said there are no laws that force motorists to pull over when meeting a procession, but many people consider driving past an oncoming procession disrespectful.

In Missouri, the statutes discourage passing a funeral procession on a two-lane, two-way highway.

Guilliams said he expects motorists to pass the procession when traveling down an interstate highway.

"We really don't expect people not to pass when we're only doing 45 or 50 mph down the interstate.

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