Emergency lights ... do the right thing when you see them.

By
Real Estate Broker/Owner with Lane Realty Eatonton, GA Lake Sinclair, Milledgeville, 706-485-9668 GREC# 169695

If you read my blog posts you likely know that my 25 year old daughter is a paramedic and that my Donald is in law enforcement.  Both are constantly on the road. Do I worry?  Yes, of course I do.  They both have dangerous jobs.

I got a text this morning just moments after an accident that a Macon-Bibb Firefighter had been stuck by a car on Interstate 75 in Macon, GA.  He was working the scene of an accident when a driver swerved into the emergency lane and stuck him.  He is now at the Medical Center in ICU in critical condition fighting for his very life. 

When I hear about this type of accident it always nearly stops my heart.  It could easily have been my daughter out there at an accident scene getting hit by a car who didn't slow down and didn't move over.

It IS the law you know to slow down and move over when you see emergency lights on the roadway.  Police cars, fire trucks, and ambulances.  If you see those flashing lights SLOW DOWN and move over.  This was a tragic event that didn't have to occur.  Law enforcement officers, fire fighters, EMTs and Paramedics literally put their own lives on the line while in the service of protecting and saving the public.  Follow the law and show them the respect they deserve.

And while I  have your attention please pray for Sgt. Eric John.  He's 42 years old, has been a fire fighter for over 20 years and has a family who is sitting in the hospital waiting and praying.  He also happens to be a friend of my daughter who is along with the other paramedics, EMTs and fire fighters. 

 Saturday July 13, 2013:  Sgt. Eric John is still in critical but stable condition.  However it is unofficially reported that he is showing signs of improvement.

Comments (38)

Beth Atalay
Cam Realty and Property Management - Clermont, FL
Cam Realty of Clermont FL

Tammy, I pray that Sgt. Eric John will pull through. Though in FL you must change lanes when there are emergency vehicles, however, some certainly don't obey this law. It's really not that difficult.

Jul 12, 2013 05:53 AM
Kelly Taylor
Keller Williams - Lakewood Ranch, FL

Thanks for the remionder, I wish you didn't need to say it. 

Jul 12, 2013 05:55 AM
Karen Anne Stone
New Home Hunters of Fort Worth and Tarrant County - Fort Worth, TX
Fort Worth Real Estate

Tammy:  All too often we hear stories about how either a medic, law enforcement officer or just a good Samaritan who had stopped to help a motorist gets hit by a careless passing motorist.  How truly sad.  It is the duty of all of us to not only "drive defensively" but to "drive protectively."  Blessings for Sgt. John and his family.

Jul 12, 2013 06:33 AM
Jay & Michelle Lieberman
Keller Williams World Class - Agoura Hills, CA
Creating Calm in the Buying and Selling Chaos

One of the other agents is right.  Focus on driving and not on the radio.

Jul 12, 2013 07:20 AM
Carla Muss-Jacobs, RETIRED
RETIRED / State License is Inactive - Portland, OR

OH that's a shame!!  Also, do NOT rubber neck!  They say that people that rubber neck tend to drive TOWARDS what they are looking at.  Keep your eyes on the road, slow down . . . accidents like this are so avoidable!

Jul 12, 2013 07:23 AM
Laura Filip
Laura Filip Broker , Opening doors for All Seasons of Life - Whitesboro, TX
What can we do for you today?

Slow down is the right thing to do. Watch for all parties to the best of your abilty sometimes one can not see everything but do your best to watch for all parties..... Prayers for all

Jul 12, 2013 10:00 AM
Margaret Rome Baltimore 410-530-2400
HomeRome Realty 410-530-2400 - Pikesville, MD
Sell Your Home With Margaret Rome

 Tammy, This is an important reminder for everyone to be aware of our emergency helpers. Keep everyone safe. Move over!

Jul 12, 2013 10:06 AM
Rebecca Howard
Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage - Orland Park, IL
Recognized | Respected | Recommended

Hi Tammy. Always enjoy reading your posts.

We have a close friend that is an EMT. He is always reminding us of the dangers of intersections. Funny what folks take for granted: their lives of all things.

I appreciate your reminders here and will pay attention and pass them along.

Jul 12, 2013 10:11 AM
Jimmy Faulkner
Florida. Homes Realty & Mortgage - Wantagh, NY
The Best Of St. Augustine

I wish everyone could just slow down but the problem seems to be getting worse as time goes own. We are very selfish and self centered and this is what cause the problem We are not a GOD fearing or caring people.

Jul 12, 2013 11:32 AM
Jimmy Faulkner
Florida. Homes Realty & Mortgage - Wantagh, NY
The Best Of St. Augustine

The president says that we are not a Christian nation anymore.  He is right.

Jul 12, 2013 11:33 AM
Ralph Gorgoglione
Maui Life Homes / Metro Life Homes - Kihei, HI
Hawaii and California Real Estate (310) 497-9407

Too many people disregard flashing emergency lights on the road. Yes, let's give those whose very lives depend on the timely delivery of the sick or injured the respect they deserve.

Jul 12, 2013 11:40 AM
Mitch Muller - Charlotte NC Real Estate
ProStead Realty Charlotte, NC CRS SRES mitch@prostead.com - Charlotte, NC
Certified Residential Specialist

Prayers for Sgt Eric John.. I used to think people were just ignorant of sirens until I was riding with a lady once who just totally panicked when a firetruck came barreling up behind us. I think maybe a lot of people are the same way.

Jul 12, 2013 11:45 AM
Joan Whitebook
BHG The Masiello Group - Nashua, NH
Consumer Focused Real Estate Services

Tammy  -- I think this message should be repeated.

It IS the law you know to slow down and move over when you see emergency lights on the roadway.  Police cars, fire trucks, and ambulances.  If you see those flashing lights SLOW DOWN and move over.

Jul 12, 2013 12:45 PM
Wallace S. Gibson, CPM
Gibson Management Group, Ltd. - Charlottesville, VA
LandlordWhisperer

In the OLD SOUTH, we pulled over for flashing lights and funerals....we got out of our cars when stopped by the police and always had our license and registration....

Jul 12, 2013 08:38 PM
Jackie Connelly-Fornuff
Douglas Elliman Real Estate in Babylon NY - Babylon, NY
"Moving at The Speed of YOU!"

Prayers for Sgt. Eric John. It always boggles the mind when people do not move over when they see emergency vehicles. They all think they can do whatever they want.

Jul 12, 2013 10:49 PM
Ed & Tracy Oliva
West USA Realty - Arizona - Fountain Hills, AZ
The Oliva Team Arizona Agents

Great Info for all in every area!!!!!! Keep up the good Info and good luck with your business,  E

Jul 13, 2013 12:40 AM
Wayne Zuhl
Remax First Realty II - Cranford, NJ
The Last Name You'll Ever Need in Real Estate

Our prayers are for Sgt. John - what a terrible story. Our son is a first responder also, so we thank you for making sure everyone knows to move over!

Jul 13, 2013 01:08 AM
Chris Miller Nevada Land with Water Rights
Vegas Grand Realty and Property Management - Mesquite, NV
Land with Water Rights For Sale

I hope Sgt. Eric John recovers, prayers for he and his family. This is a terrible tragic story. We should all slow down and thank those who go out there and put themselves in harms way for us. 

Jul 13, 2013 01:12 AM
Jim Palmer
Chipola Realty - Chipley Office (850) 638-2777 - Sunny Hills, FL
Washington County, Florida

Thank you for this posting!! As a volunteer firefighter, I am always nervous when working an accident scene. Always one eye on the job at hand and one eye on the traffic!!

Prayers for Sgt John!!

Jul 13, 2013 01:21 AM
Tammy Lankford,
Lane Realty Eatonton, GA Lake Sinclair, Milledgeville, 706-485-9668 - Eatonton, GA
Broker GA Lake Sinclair/Eatonton/Milledgeville

For all of you that have friends and family that are first responders I know you understand my message here, we all appreciate the danger of their work.

I just added an update to this post about Sgt. Eric Johns reported condition as of today.  Please continue your prayers as his co-workers and family wait.

Jul 13, 2013 04:29 AM

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