American Reacts to How Different Countries react to Ambulance Sirens

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[@user-io7vx9sy1v]

Treat ambulances like your loved one is in there.

[@davidmalarkey1302]

They do in America because they can't afford to take an abundance to the hospital.

[@automation7295]

It's funny when people say "Treat ambulances like your loved one" when they don't know their loved ones are in there.

[@Suchac_cz]

...like you are lying in it 👍

[@HrLBolle]

unfortunately its not always an option to do the right thing when you happen to cross paths with an ambulance on an active run. Prime example from my own experience as a truck driver: Two lane road with "rather soft embankments and ditches on either side, me driving a 40 ton truck" ; radio doing its thing just loud enough to be heard above the driving noises and the running Thermo King unit on the trailer; I noticed cars on the opposing lane as well as those following me diverting to the right most possible position to come to to a stop so i figured there has to be an ambulance running blue lights and siren behind me. However I could not do what the cars did because of the vehicle I was driving, so here is what I did instead: I kept driving WITH MY RIGHT TURN SIGANL ENGADED to inform the driver of the ambulance that I'm aware and will make space as soon as it is safe for me to do so.

[@nightstriker5885]

@@HrLBolle honestly props to you man as trucks are big and heavy depending on the cargo and not at manuverable so solid judgment on your part

[@pascalvallinoto6913]

In Italy it's a crime not to pull over when an emergency vehicle has its flashing light and siren active. This ranges from a fine and 2 points less on the driving licence, if the patient dies, criminal proceedings for manslaughter are activated and the civil compensation, the insurance does not pay when there is an obstruction to a public service vehicle.

[@douwehuysmans5959]

Based

[@gennaroliguori376]

its the same in Germany brother

[@gennaroliguori376]

@@miguelsh33n well said hermano

[@arpadfodor2443]

I also get out of the way, as fast as i can, not because of fear of fine or something like this, simply because i always think that it can be me or my loved one who's in that ambulance car, and don't want to die because of some idiot

[@LednacekZ]

it is simple in Europe. Forming a safe way for emergency vehicles is a law in most countries. Traffic jam, especially on highways, you always form an alley. You hear a siren, you slow down and get as much as out of the way as you can. You dont know why there is an emergency, and who knows, it might be someone you know who needs help.

[@kevinmurphy4975]

What would help a lot of countries is a REAL driving school! How to behave in critical situations in traffic is so important. Greets from Germany.

[@Ikkeligeglad]

Will NOT help, it's the mindset of the americans: me me me me

[@101steel4]

Mum is their driving instructor 😂😂

[@apveening]

@@Ikkeligeglad For that fines will help. And yes, that is the other side of the coin in most European countries. Not getting out of the way can result in a pretty hefty fine. In that last video from Germany, the driver of that black car, that didn't get out of the way immediately, can expect a serious warning at the least as he should have gotten out of the way long before the ambulance was even near (and even if there were no emergency vehicle, check "Rettungsgasse").

[@Rafaela_S.]

@@apveening Also you can lose your license for a "short" period of time (1 month), for blocking an ambulance. Which may not be that hard of an punishment in europe, with mostly functioning public transport, but in the US...

[@apveening]

@@Rafaela_S. Lovely, making the punishment fit the crime.

[@DASPRiD]

To be fair, in Germany we not just move over when we hear sirens; We move over as soon as a traffic jam starts, it's the rules :)

[@azynkron]

It's in your genes from when you made way for the cabbed black Mercedes :)

[@S1lentSt0rm]

Well, people are supposed to anyway because it is way easier to get everyone sorted into the outer lanes while traffic is still moving (although slowly). Once everyone comes to a standstill there isn't really much in the way of getting cars into the outer lanes as everyone already creeped up bumper to bumper. Sadly it does not work often enough and then you get those lowbobs that feel entitled and think the emergency lane is for them to get to their exit faster and they drive through the space created for emergency vehicles. And if one starts you get those other slightly less bad people that think "well if that person does it so can I" and it ends up in a mess. And you still have those that don't know you're supposed to make it happen as it slows down and then only try and start doing it when they hear the sirens and then it just gets messy. Sad to say but there are also videos of the German Autobahn where it isn't really much different from the USA scenes.

[@Lupus_Indomitus]

Not funny mate.​@@azynkron

[@KuraikoYoshikawa]

To be fair, in Germany it doesn't work either most of the time... many people doesn't move over until they hear sirens... and in the rare cases where it worked some assholes use the emergency lane...

[@Lupus_Indomitus]

@@KuraikoYoshikawa well, i have been on the autobahn quite a lot, and by extension in quite a few traffic jams. Maybe 1 in 10 traffic jams it didnt work. I mean, it isnt always exactly as in the rules, but the pathway is there, and it is wide enough. So atleast in northern germany, it works like a charm al ost always. Cant say what it is like in Bayern for example, but up where i live, no problem at all.

[@DaxRaider]

The thing in Germany in stand still traffic is, they don't need to get out in of the way. Of you stand still on the Autobahn you instantly do this. Even if the firetruck or ambulance never comes or in 5 minutes you do it. So if it comes everyone is already at the side

[@Astronymus_the_original_one]

True. Everytime traffics comes to a halt or even gets very slow you have to assume there might be an accident in front of you and emergency vehicles expect to rush through the "Rettungsgasse" lit up and blaring anytime.

[@anjaadolphsen2087]

You even have to pay a fine if you don't do it.

[@HiImBQ]

That's the idea. But rarely works. Most people only make way when they hear sirens and even after they move back into the emergency lane, even though there could be more vehicles coming. It's way better than in the bad examples in this video, but most certainly not as good as it could/should be. Every minute lost could be the death sentence of a person.

[@101steel4]

Not moving for emergency services is shocking. First thing you do in England when you hear the sirens is pull over.

[@CultOfMU]

It's a reflex. Also why siren sounds used in songs in radio sucks... :D

[@michaelhammond5412]

Same in Scotland mate.

[@moondaughter1004]

Same in Sweden. You do not want to be the dumbass who blocks it

[@stevenhughes6282]

Only in England? What about the rest of Great Britain? Some people tend to live in their own tiny World.

[@Andrea-mg9py]

@@stevenhughes6282he’s entitled to talk about his own country. No doubt you do yours.

[@lidewijvos]

I was so shocked when I visited NYC 5 years ago that barely anyone moves for emergency vehicles. In the Netherlands you can get a hefty fine for not moving when you have the chance to do so.

[@mavadelo]

I have seen a few POV from Dutch Ambulance escorts... if you do not move... they be taking note of your plates, I have to assume those plates will be tied to said hefty fine.

[@daveamies5031]

It's the same in Australia, honestly you shouldn't even need a law for this, it should be obvious, you don't know who is in the ambulance, it could be someone you care about, but even if not, it's someone that someone else cares about.

[@JohnDoe-xz1mw]

i think the problem is , i fnobody moves, you dont actualy have a chance to mvoe over so who do you fine? its the "no, I am spartacus" system in a very bad way.

[@stanislavbandur7355]

@@JohnDoe-xz1mw that is really a problem of handling crowds, You are true, but many times it is clear that there is a jerk on road. I remember all those jokes about female, especially blonds driving. When I was in Romania, there was traffic jam on roundabout every morning. When we saw, traffic stuck we immediately starting to pull over and make emergency line in centre. Only one or two other cars did that (every time females and even blonds). No more jokes. It is like normal human reaction and even if you do not help, try hard to not to hurt (as was my mum saying). It is free to move out of way. I think that it is not a problem of USA being car centered, but being self centered. I am wondering how it is possible that such cities are not burned to the ground, how firemen can ride there (maybe bigger cars means more respect).

[@user-iu4cz3bc7m]

In Finland, driving school already teaches to give space to emergency vehicles, space to pass more freely in traffic when the sirens are on and the lights are on

[@nocturne7371]

When studying for my driving license in Sweden 35 years ago I clearly remember the severity in my teacher's voice when telling me that when I hear a siren behind me I MUST drive to the side of the road and STOP until the ambulance, firetruck etc has passed me. Because it could be my mother that is in need.

[@darkknight8139]

Germany: thank you for being efficient and letting me through unhindered (except for that one BMW). Poland: go for it! Japan: let's not rush. USA: good luck surviving.

[@neokratos92]

That one car was from another country. There was no blue patch on the left side of the license plate, so maybe he doesn't know the rule there.

[@fetzie23]

@@neokratos92 They're still going to get post with a fine though. Quite a few EU countries have reciprocal enforcement rules for driving fines these days.

[@supreme3376]

and you Paid 2500$ for Ambulance

[@77LUCKYNUMBER77]

@@neokratos92 it's an old video. In the 90s there was no blue patch yet so you could still see plain white ones in Germany up until the 2010s. Even nowadays you could possibly find one, although very rare.

[@silvijepremus]

@@neokratos92 black bmw -- american student in EU driving a car with a stick.

[@kenneth3537]

In Europe, when you hear the ambulance sirens, everyone simply moves out of the way and do a "parting of the sea" instinctively. It's a natural respect for emergency responders and their job. Cheers!

[@ashbjorn]

We can be a minute later to our destination, that ambulance might not have that minute, especially if it happens 30 times. In the USA people only care how something affects them; In Europe people care about how things affect others. It's that mindset that makes us move out of the way, because there is a genuine reason for it.

[@IQEGO]

Also, we want everyone to move the hell out of the way when ambulance transports our loved ones. Give and you shall receive.

[@stefanb6539]

Also, we had to take a lot of lessons to get the licence, and they were hella expensive, so we want to avoid doing stupid stuff to lose that license, and having to pay for all of that again.

[@wombat4583]

While there are some minor differences by countries it really is dependent on the road and people regardless of country. There is plenty of footage of people acting great and horribly in every country as drivers on the internet and pretty easy to find.

[@PapayaPerson]

I think inadequate education is definitely part of the problem for the US. I live in Texas, got my license recently, and as far as I remember none of the VERY short lessons I went through covered making way for emergency vehicles. People here drive like total garbage.

[@norXmal]

For me I hope to see the standard being applied to me, my relatives, loved ones and friends as I keep to maintain that standard for others.

[@maleboglia1775]

When I hear a siren while driving, I immediately check my entire surroundings to see if I could be in the way! And if I could be in the way, I immediately drive to the side of the road or even onto the sidewalk if the road is narrow!!! And I expect the same from EVERY other driver, that's how it works in Europe!!!

[@HrLBolle]

unfortunately it is not always possible to do the right thing when you come across an ambulance on an active journey. Prime example from my own experience as a truck driver: Two lane road with "fairly soft embankments and ditches on both sides, I drive a 40 ton truck"; the radio is doing its thing just loud enough to be heard over the driving noises and the Thermo King unit running on the trailer; I noticed cars in the oncoming lane as well as the cars behind me pulling as far to the right as possible to stop, so I thought there must be an ambulance behind me with lights and sirens flashing. However, I could not do what the cars were doing because of the vehicle I was driving, so instead I did this: I continued driving WITH MY RIGHT INDICATOR ON to inform the ambulance driver that I was aware and would make way as soon as it was safe for me to do so.

[@lynnm6413]

@@HrLBolle in Europe we have an asphalt lane to the right of the truck lane that is used by the lorries in situations like that. That‘s why we have so much space in Germany, because we have an extra lane on the Autobahn, exactly so 18ton trucks also get to make room.

[@leftalone9881]

I do the same. What pisses me off is when I drive halfway off of the road to make space for the ambulance to pass, but the driver directly behind me speeds ahead as soon as the ambulance drives ahead. It’s happened multiple times at traffic lights… shouldn’t you wait for the person to get back on the road before flooring it?

[@Myria83]

@@lynnm6413 We have a dedicated lane of emergency vehicles in Italy too, but it's on the right side, and nobody else is supposed to use it unless they have an emergency themselves.

[@theoteddy9665]

🙋🇨🇿when its heavy traffic you already make space for blue lights eventhough you dont see or hear them, we are taught to do that in driving school..maybe thats the problem😂

[@KanecicqSTUDIOS]

Right? Ofc there are kokoti everywhere, but first thing 99.9 % of people do will when they hear sirenes is they slow down/pull over and look around like owls - "Where is it, WHERE IS IT!?"

[@JoriDiculous]

You will also be in risk of getting a heavy fine or even lose the license for a while if you dont make room.

[@Xalinai]

Getting charged 250€ and two of eight points off your license in Germany for not making room helps a bit too.

[@automation7295]

It's funny how people think 250€ fine is fair, but think 1 million€ is too much.

[@S1lentSt0rm]

@@automation7295 it's actually one of the higher fines as of more recently. Still it's not high enough for some entitled bastards. To make it fair it could simply be the current fine as a fixed minimum and then go as high as half your monthly income. If emergency vehicles actually got slowed down because of you then you pay your monthly income as a fine, with a minimum of double the current fine. The simple fact is that it is outrageous to put yourself and your puny perceived needs above someone else's life, or even multiple peoples lives since you cannot know how many people actually require help up front wherever the emergency vehicles need to go.

[@automation7295]

@@S1lentSt0rm Because the roads are full with entitled bastards, I think police should start fining drivers 1 million €.

[@valeriedavot9074]

Thing is, basic human decency should suffice....

[@wurgel1]

@@S1lentSt0rm Personally? Make it based on the persons income (Tagessätze). 2 days worth of income for first offenders, growing from there. Yes, low income will not be paying much, but those are the ones with little spare money to begin with. A-hole with an income of 100k/year? And we are at >600€. Making it an actual fine instead of a neglectable cost for driving recklessly for the rich.

[@EdwinMartin]

@5:58 The taxidriver blocking traffic even further is insane. From there you can hear the ambulance and probably see reflections of blue lights flickering.

[@frustratedfriar9632]

I'm a retired Paramedic with 23 years of service. It's a wonder I, or we, don't have PTSD after some or the emergency runs we did. One particular trip stands out. It contains a mixed response from the public. It was an Easter Monday, late afternoon, and we were transporting a critically injured bikey from a Ballarat hospital down to the major hospital in Melbourne. A journey of about 120klm with approx 70% on 2 lane freeway and the rest through the suburbs to the centre of Melbourne. I also had a Doctor and a Registered Nurse with the patient. On the freeway it was a mixed bag with some drivers trying to let us through but as they made room other cars just cut in front of us, causing me to have to jam on the anchors! This happened quite often actually, that day. Lots of tired people returning to the city after their Easter holidays. However, when we reached they outskirts of the suburbs we found that the Police were running an "Intersectional Block" for us. That was Heaven, after the freeway. I could sit on 80kph (50mph) all the way from there to the hospital. I think that in Australia it is pretty much a mixed bag, in how motorists behave for emergency vehicles. It is mostly good though. By the way, I set the record for the fastest trip between the two hospitals.

[@Katrina-mi2gm]

Thank you for your service. My family has to use ambulance services on several occasions, with both serious health threats and injuries and the dedication of staff is greatly appreciated. Also, as a motorist, please allow me to apologise for those a..holes who made your already difficult job more stressful.

[@frustratedfriar9632]

@@Katrina-mi2gm Thankyou and God bless you. I hope all of your family are happy and healthy now. Cheers.

[@darek4488]

Never in my life I have seen an ambulance being blocked for longer than seconds here in Poland. However I can imagine that if you end up being a total ass and just sit there in front of an ambulance strangers nearby will come for you and get you out of the way using whatever means necessary. Even the law would be on their side, because in Polish law there is a thing called the "State of higher necessity" and it clears your charges when you commit a crime or damage something to save something of a greater value.

[@Diveyl]

Fire engines moved few cars out of a way to get to wherever they were going. If you park your car like an idiot do not expect for it to be left alone in emergency situation.

[@GrafindeKlevemark]

I live in France (but 1/2 Brit and 1/2 German). i was driving back home after work and there was an accident on the left side of the the freeway. The firetrucks were there trying to do their work, but cars just rushed past. When it was my turn to overtake the firemen, I placed my little car across the road so nobody could pass and they could get on with saving the people in the accident. The firemen then stood in a line and clapped and cheered as they waved me past - I was pretty pleased !!!!!!

[@pscar1]

Unless they themselves block the road you aren't supposed to stop

[@raphaelc9492]

@@pscar1 true but a good samaritan is never bad when there needs to be one

[@testman9541]

In France, when the emergency vehicule has siren on, you must give them the way. You must park along the road to give way by whatever mean and if you are blocking the way you should keep rolling and park aside as soon as possible. You will be allowed to pass red light and exceed speed limit to ensure to do so (camera will prove that there was an emergency so you will not get fined and loose points on your licence). This is almost the same in every EU country wether you are in the country side or in a dense packed city. It would be interresting to see if the behaviour differs from state to state in the US.

[@txquartz]

Very different. NYC is a special case.

[@tomtomkowski7653]

Greetings from Poland :) When you hear a siren, you slow down, and when you see it in your rearview mirror, you just pull over to the side as much as you can to just get out of the way. So yes... this video is 100% legit.

[@sphagittka]

In Europe we are told from the young age (I remember it was said many times at preschool, primary school, by your relatives or during your driving lessons) "When you drive and see or hear an ambulance (police or firefighters), let them pass it can be someone from your family there." And at some point it is changed to "it could be you whose is inside the vehicle. And you would be happy if others let you go through too."

[@abigailjohnson4270]

In the UK it’s the parting of the seas. You get the hell out of the way asap. Even to mounting pavements (safely obvs) to make space. Everyone does it. Because it might be ur family That needs that one day (and it was for us sadly) and I can tell u that every minute feels like an hour waiting for them to arrive. So GET OUT OF THE WAY! 😳

[@L_T86]

I live in Bulgaria, Eastern Europe. It's the same here, if you hear an ambulance, you have to make way immediately and people do. Having to accompany my grandmother in an ambulance once, we drove through heavy traffic halfway across city and the driver didn't slow down once.

[@Blueeyescaves]

Glad you had the nice experience and not the we-don't-obey-lights-speed-limits-signs-sirens one. I know of so many cases where the driver had taken the priority way of an ambulance resulting in a collision and another ambulance having to be sent. Usually makes the news as well. I would not count on this in Bulgaria, if my life depended on it. Even if it is the law.

[@gember1382]

I always get tears in my eyes, seeing people working together and getting out of the way. It's like a code, and people just respond. I love that ❤

[@etienne8110]

In Europe it s called the Law 😅 No codes of honour or wtv. By law you must make way for emergency vehicules.

[@elisaa9981]

It's beautiful!

[@jochenfrohlich1976]

Here in Europe it is a legal requirement to make way for emergency vehicles with special rights (blue lights + siren)! If you stop an ambulance, you not only risk losing your driving license, in the worst case scenario you could also be charged with negligent homicide!!!

[@tonycasey3183]

No wonder US ambulance rides cost so much - they're probably on a meter.

[@101steel4]

😂😂😂

[@Aotearas]

Bruh, take that upvote and the yikes

[@adamtsiolas]

No meter, feet!😅

[@ileana8360]

@tonycasey3183 Damn. Black humour at its best. 😂 The only way to handle such ignorance and selfishness

[@whocares6692]

you mean football fields or washing machines, then don't know what a meter is.

[@grzegorzkaczor121]

In Poland, on viaducts over expressways and highways, there are often signs about the "corridor of life", i.e. how to behave when you hear the alarm signal of an ambulance, fire brigade or police. Violation of the regulations regarding the creation of a "corridor of life" may result in a fine of up to PLN 2,500 zl.

[@Aotearas]

~586€ which is higher than the max fine in Germany, nice! Do you also get your license suspended for a time or is it only the fine?

[@JacekChwastek]

​@@AotearasYou get a fine and 8 penalty points. The penalty points limit is 20/24 depending on how long You had your driving license for. Points are valid for one year after paying the fine. Every six months You can take special course on safe driving to reduce 6 points. If You exceed limit You need to pass psychological test and pass driving exam. Temporary license suspension is possible if You get speeding more than 50km/h above speed limit.

[@paulashwin247]

I've been in Poland a few years (never driven) and also find near me at least people won't even cross a road if sirens are blaring, even if you can't see the emergency vehicle. Good to see. I must admit the responders constantly restarting the siren makes you notice it more than just a constant one too. Not seen that in many places.

[@funsolarsystem]

Hello form Spain! One of the big rules over in europe is that if you hear a ambulance or cop siren you get to the side of the road, and if there isn't much space to try and speed up to get to either a bigger place to pull over or try to find any space even if it's a pedestrian road to kinda pull over (even if it's seen as rude, if you are giving space to an ambulance or cop car to get by it's accepted, just like kinda invading the contrary side of the road would be almost always a no go you are allowed to do it in those cases as well) to let it pass, it's both common courtesy and a really smart way of thinking as "The sooner I get out of the way of this vehicle and it gets out of the way the faster I'll get back to being on the road again, and they'll get were ever they need to be". It's a win-win-win kinda deal, you let it pass both because you or a loved one could be in need of help someday, because then you can get back faster to whatever you were going, the ambulance or cop car now gets faster were it need to be and it can be the difference between someone dying or living sometimes

[@Kent.]

Live in a relatively big city in Sweden and have never seen ambulance, police or firefighters stand still like that. WTF... You can always get a little bit closer to the edge at both ways and therefore make room for them.

[@davidcopplestone6266]

I've seen an ambulance drive through Piccadilly Circus in London with no problems. It's probably one of the busiest junctions in Central London.

[@normandumaire2443]

If you need an ambulance, you also want other people to make room so that you can get help. So you always make room when sirens sound.❤

[@JohnnyDrizzle]

It's pretty outrageous knowing you guys have to pay $3000 for an ambulance and for us it's free

[@101steel4]

Then wait in traffic 😂 Bargain

[@zepedro6666]

Please stop saying that, as it is not factually correct, it's NOT free our ambulances and health services in Europe since everything is paid directly or indirectly by our taxes on the daily basis (VAT, oil tax, etc) or monthly basis (IRS, Social Security, Corporate taxes, etc). Now what you can say is we don't pay extra expensive fees to health care or ambulances when we need them in times of need. Cheers.

[@RB-tl8cf]

Nothing is for free. These men get paid by obnoxious high taxes… I’m paying every month to be helped maybe in the future somewhere. I already paid thousands of euros and might not need them ever.

[@PotsdamSenior]

​@@RB-tl8cfI gladly pay taxes also for my neighbours to be helped.

[@stanislavbandur7355]

@@PotsdamSenior It is OK to help people, and letting Ambulance go is a lot of help and does not cost a penny. OK if are people not willing to share Ambulance ride cost (BTW 3k is only average, it can be from 1.5k up to almost 10k). What we can do? Their country, their rules. But to go out of way is free.

[@maxmustermann9587]

Even if people _want_ to make space for an ambulance, if they don't act in a coordinated way, it won't work out. In Germany it is law for the Autobahn that vehicles on the most left lane move to the left and all other vehicles move to the right to create an alleyway for police and emergency vehicles, *_whenever_* traffic comes to a standstill.

[@101steel4]

An ambulance paying a toll? Good grief

[@marco_grt4460]

Well, in Italy we had this problem too, i don't remember if it was applied only for non emergency transport or pay every time, in 2019 was removed at all

[@apveening]

That happened not too long ago in Belgium as well (with a Dutch ambulance having to take a shortcut through a corner of Belgium, getting the long way around through the Netherlands would have added at least an hour even at full emergency speed).

[@Diveyl]

In Poland emergency vehicles have priority and free pass. On bigger toll points a dedicated service line can be set for highway maintenance, where blue lights goes through unobstructed.

[@Sewer.R4tz]

As a German, I was so shocked when I saw that people didn’t pull over when they heard the sirens in America

[@pedroleal7118]

Watching from France, here it's mandatory and one of the things instructors used to insist on. Some people only get it when 'they 'are in the back of the ambulance! It's a civility thing and beeing aware of the others, not concerned about what's going on in your phone.

[@andrefischer5025]

Simple fix - consistent road rules country wide & real driving schools In Germany you have to make an “emergency lane” when traffic gets jammed. Regardless if there’s an emergency vehicle approaching or not. Practically that mean if/when an emergency vehicle has to go through heavy traffic, there’s already room for them - at least in theory and by law.

[@cnikkor]

yeah, that's why those videos look even more impressive. It sometimes looks like the lane appears out of nowhere and everyone is making room just in time regardless of the traffic being jammed. When in reality or at least in theory, the emergency lane was already there like minutes ago and was propagated from the accident all the way back to the end of the jam by simply doing the same what the car right ahead of you is (hopefully) doing: pullling over before coming to a hold. and voilá you saved some lives (maybe)

[@Perry0302]

Hi German dude here, I just wanted to add a little funfact to the Video. In Germany we have driving schools that everone who wants to do their licence has to go to. They consist of (for cars) 12 theoretical lessons each one 90 mins and another 2 theoretical lessons for extra stuff. In these theoretical lessons the instructors already explain to you how to get out of the way when theres an ambulance coming (on country roads with 1 lane in each direction, each lane moves to their right side of the road and on highways with 3 or more lanes only the left most lane moves left while all other lanes move to the right as seen in the video.) Driving Schools also consist of Practical driving lessons where every learning driver has only one driving instructor which they do all their lessons with (its important that everyone has only one instructor because the instructors judge your progress while driving and depending on how good you drive you do more or less lessons.) When youre done with all theoretical lessons and practical lessons you have to write a theoretical test and if you pass that you do a final driving lesson with an external driving examiner also sitting in the back off your car (additionally to your normal instructor) that judges your driving and decides if you are able to handle your vehicle as well as everyday traffic.

[@jmarie-nw8jf]

I don't live in a city, but in small town America, every car pulls over, no question. I have never witnessed anything else.

[@vratislavruzicka4503]

for me it is completely natural at the moment when the traffic on the road slows down for some reason, to point the car to the side so that in the event of a stop I am already partially out of the lane even if I do not hear any sirens (ambulance, police, fire brigade), most drivers do this in our country (Czech Republic) he does that too. so an alley is automatically formed in the middle of the road that a "honking vehicle" can quickly pass through,,.. I think it's beautiful to see where people value life (you never know who he's driving, who he's driving for, when you'll need them or who has the last minutes of life and fights for every second) where human life has a minimal price (Asia) or where ego and self-righteousness wins (USA). in part it is also thanks to the fact that in Europe a driver's license is not a right but a privilege for which you have to pay hard and lose it easily..

[@victorialovatt976]

Been in an emergency ambulance (UK) 6 times since 2020 (not C19, I’ve got a heart condition) and just want to say a big thank you to every driver and cyclist who made way. Keep at it folks it might be your lives they’re saving one day ❤❤❤

[@Errathetube]

Visited India for three weeks last summer. On the first day there was an ambulance with sirens on stuck behind us at an intersection in New Delhi. Nobody got out of their way even though it was possible. From that point on I was each day ever so grateful to not having to be in an ambulance. A TukTuk or motorcycle would probably be better than calling for an ambulance.

[@onnasenshi7739]

I think it's a faith thing, why save a life when he will be reborn. 😂

[@Errathetube]

@@onnasenshi7739 On the other hand we witnessed a few traffic accidents on the highways going between cities and then groups of people were very quick rushing to the scene to help.

[@andreamuller9009]

@@onnasenshi7739 Maybe for karma points so that you don't get reincarnated as a snail or worm?

[@anbbha9864]

India is a country with absolute zero (maybe negative!) social responsibility.

[@stephanmaxx_]

US people are mostly focused on themselves. No wonder the ambulances are so expensive, it's like in war, one in three ambulances gets through...

[@wilkuuu4016]

The recording from Poland is really old, looking at the quality of video and clothes those people were wearing + cars that you have on road and bus stops, it is around really early 2000's. Saying this as a Pole.

[@daveamies5031]

You didn't seem to notice the gear shifts in the Ambulance from Poland even the Ambulance is Manual 👍 I was shocked the first time I encountered an Ambulance when driving in Singapore in gridlock traffic, I couldn't go anywhere, but did my best to pull to the left of my lane and a little over as I was in the middle lane, the Ambulance stopped beside me and rolled down the window to thank me, well he couldn't proceed past me cause the car in front of me didn't move over. In Australia you can be fined for not giving way to emergency vehicles (some even have cameras and will record your number plate), so for me it was a normal thing to give space for an Ambulance.

[@JoriDiculous]

Its the law in EU and most of Europe to get out of the way of any emergency vehicle, and yes you will be fined and most likely be a pedestrian for awhile 😂

[@poljenol6868]

Let the police escort ambulances for a while and have them write dozens or even hundreds of tickets for obstructing priority vehicles. It'll change soon enough.

[@hyzenthlay7151]

Obviously this is no way the norm, but I feel like there are a lot of people in the US that simply don't care about others, as long as they're first, like letting people on to the highway, saying about being "cut off" when all they had to do was release the accelerator a little to help the other person get on, and no time is really lost in the process. Europe seems to adopt more of a mindset of "that could be me in that ambulance tomorrow, how would I want people to react to my urgent medical need?"

[@101steel4]

That's why many don't want universal health care.

[@oskar6747]

The second clip shows this so well. Even without the ambulance why is everyone in the middle of the intersection. You don't drive that far unless there is enough space for you to also clear it completely. In Europe all of those drivers would have angry drivers and pedestrians yelling and honking at them. No wonder there's that bad of a traffic jam.

[@stanislavbandur7355]

@@oskar6747 and bills from onstreet cameras will follow them

[@apveening]

That European mindset is helped along with pretty hefty fines, which should also help in the USA.

[@najroe]

when you hear siren you GET OUT OF THE WAY! anything that can safely and "legally" be done is done here, attitude "someone in dire need require these to pass" I have seen people go up on sidewalks (no pedestrians near) and into unknown people's driveways and lawns to let first responders pass.

[@patiencerose]

I was always told to imagine, one day it could be you in that ambulance. Same with Fire Engines, could be your house...in the UK

[@wykydytron]

Man videos from eu are so old they are actually from times when creating "corridor of life" wasn't mandatory it was just obvious to everyone you should make space for any emergency vehicle. Now it's regulated by law and you are required to create corridor of life if emergency vehicle is around.

[@stanislavbandur7355]

I did not noticed, it is so common for me. (something like care of your children, there are laws covering breaking that norm in our society too)

[@apveening]

At least in Germany it is also required even if there is no emergency vehicle around (yet).

[@PlutoDarknight]

In Germany you are both legally allowed to and required to cross a red light if there is no other way to let ambulance, police or firefighters pass. At intersections, all traffic halts except for the direction the emergency vehicle comes from

I'm from Barcelona, Spain. This morning I had this exact situation in one of the belt highways around the city. Sunday morning, people going to the beach, big jam but an ambulance came and passed like there was noone... everyone went to the borders of the road and left the central space for the ambulance, that passed seamlessly without even stopping one time...

[@alpacamale2909]

I live in a very crouded city in the canary islands. Whenever there's an ambulance everybody steps out of the way and chaos ensues. You see the other lanes look like drunk tetris.

[@TheAngelopap]

"drunk tetris" lol!

[@dutchyjhome]

Hey Ian, that small ambulance in India is a Suzuki Carry van Ambulance. Making a Rettungsgasse like in Germany on the Autobahn, basically is all about a mentality. What if you yourself end up in one of these Ambulances..? Then you also could appreciate when everybody moves out of the way, right..? So do yourself what you want others to do as well. So simple really...

[@uncle_matula]

This video gives you an idea of how much life is worth in India, China, the US, it's basically worth sßłt. And the total lack of empathy is also evident...

[@Kent.]

Was thinking the same.

[@erka001]

Video idea: compare what it takes to get a license in US and EU, rest of the world etc. Probably explains a lot...

[@klizzard5166]

and age. most if not all places in EU u have to be 18 to start taking drivers license. in the US in some places u can drive at 16.

[@maritgranstromstudley208]

​@klizzard5166 lived in US for 10 years. My daughter was livid that I didn't let her take her licence when 16. I'm from Sweden and don't think any 16 year old should drive a car on regular roads.

[@stanislavbandur7355]

@@maritgranstromstudley208 Maybe I will not let here to drive until I get grand grand children on roads crowded by jerks (here in Europe, under supervision, not be afraid even if she was 16yo) In Czech republic you can drive if you are 4 (it is possible, not allowed - more funny than terrifying videos) kzbin.info/www/bejne/e16tc42rpreqjq8 kzbin.info/www/bejne/b3yZkKupZrR2psU

[@naser_si]

But if you do you 1. can have fun while driving and be safer we flew around on 50cc mopeds from 15yrso and if we were in cars it would have been much safer for us if you crash a moped into a truck its game over 2. you gain alot of experience in the 2 years of driving so i dont see it as a bad thing that kids can drive in the us, what i dont undrestand are the other regulatinons for alcohol or sex for example

[@maritgranstromstudley208]

@naser_si it's not as simple as having fun and gaining experience. The prefrontal cortex is not fully matured until you are in mid 20's. That is the part of the brain that is used when planning, making decisions and prioritising, those skills are crucial when driving.The 2 years between 16 and 18 make a big difference.

[@shaneb4612]

It was a bit of coincident that you popped up with this reaction. I was driving today here in Brisbane, Aus, within approx 15 mins & 10km of heavy traffic on Gympie Rd. I had to get out of the way of 3 Ambulances & 1 fire-truck. There must have been an accident on the Highway, to see most driver get out of the way was good to see. I pulled to the left, to make a whole & eventually the cars all parted.

[@nobodx]

In Germany, it’s a fineable misdemeanor to enter a intersection when it’s obvious you can’t exit in time before the traffic light turns red again

[@brwnvon5421]

The ambulance is always running for someone's life!

[@stevejenner1864]

Hello Ian Emergency Services do not pay for tolls in Australia

[@Muck006]

The clip from Germany "isnt that impressive", because ... a) it is the Autobahn and b) it is the LAW to MAKE A RESCUE LANE whenever there is a traffic jam ... before any emergency vehicles even arrive. You cant compare this with "general city jams" ... but having a bus lane that is reserved for such kind of traffic (and buses) might be a start.

[@modiglian]

Madrid, Spain, traffic jams are common in rush hour, everybody makes way for the emergency vehicle, it’s not the fine, it could be your mother in that ambulance. Some bikers have the bad habit of tailing the ambulance to break through the jam… it’s so satisfying to see the cops stop and book them 😂

[@user-io7vx9sy1v]

That's why you should respect them because you don't know if your loved one is in there.

[@teotik8071]

US ambulances sound like a pinball machine with hiccup.

[@stanislavbandur7355]

we adopted this kind of sirens for firemen, it is much better when it changes "melodies" people are noticing them better (as was explained for me by my friend = firemen) (SK)

[@suicidalbanananana]

@@stanislavbandur7355 Whatever happened to your EMS vehicles announcing themselves on the stereo systems of cars around them? i know the US had that in the past because at some point it was news that we (NL) imported that idea/hardware from the US, but (at the time anyway) most of our vehicles didn't actually support it hehe. Not that we really need it, because ~98% of people move out of the way already, but ye, i thought America had implemented that everywhere now to tip the scales in the right direction, but i guess that plan didn't really work out as intended? shame tbh, that was some neat idea/tech.

[@sc4952]

Whenever there is a traffic jam on Autobahn, drivers are obliged by law to open an emergency lane between the lanes on a two track Autobahn and between the Second and the third track on a three lane Autobahn by law. You can get punished hard for acting wrong. Thats the reason.

[@sc4952]

Hi from Autobahnland.

[@la-go-xy]

It's more tricky in towns, though, but we have to move out of the way - even if the maneuvre would otherwise be irregular. You shouldn't jam junctions, either, though it happens every now and then... (Germany)

[@KanecicqSTUDIOS]

Czechia too. If you get stuck in jam on a highway, first you start flashing warning light to inform drivers behind you to slow down, next you pull over at left or right side (depending which lane you're in) to make emergency street - "záchranářská ulička".

[@garbage2882]

dude it's like that in every developed country

[@I_ll_beer_back]

It makes perfect sense to punish people who do not keep to the emergency lane for ambulances/police/fire brigade. Because such delays put people's lives at risk.

[@hendrikusscherphof7348]

at 4:45 I think the SUV is doing the right thing. He's headed for a car that has space on its left and right. By not moving to either side, the ambulance driver can freely choose which lane to use

[@Anders57292]

I was just in Germany for vacation. They put reminder signs on the bridges/overpasses that the left lane should move left, all others to the right to make a ”Rettungsgasse”. It’s Best Practice for all others to learn from.

[@stanislavbandur7355]

by law, if traffic stuck emergency lane needs to be formed, total basics (SK) (nobody can know it somewhere in a distance is only bunch of bad drivers or a car accident, in any second can ambulances, police or firemen appear)

[@saya-mi]

Exactly!

[@davidmilledge221]

In South Australia we always pull over for the ambulance , fire brigade and them key stone cops we always let them through

[@elisaa9981]

I always get so moved whet an ambulance approaches and you see all the cars part like the Red Sea to let it through. It's amazing! Once, there was an alert on the radio, asking people to move aside for an ambulance in great hurry that was carrying a severely injured child. I was stuck in a car jam in a tunnel at the time, but somehow everyone got a grip and moved tf out of the way so that this ambulance could pass swiftlyand without any incidents. I'll never forget it because it was almost magical, and too beautiful to forget.

[@Crystalcluster]

On the Autobahn youre required by law to create something called a >Rettungsgasse< (basically an alley for emergency service vehicles) as soon as traffic slows down significantly. And that happens, basically every time. Go drive into a traffic jam and notice the Rettungsgasse forming immediately between the most left lane and the lane to the right of it Oh and you can face criminal charges for this. Up to 200 EUR and 2 Points (Its a system where if you get iirc 6 points you get your license taken away, and you cant get a new one in like a year after. Also these points only expire after like 5 or so years (the expiry date varies)) Now if youre not making room and there is actually an emergency vehicle that youre blocking its gonna get a lot worse

[@Smillanluv]

Germany has the best driving Ive ever seen. In all aspects. Not only for sirens but generally the code is - help each other and make traffic smooth

[@Gibby8]

I’m from Slovenia 🇸🇮 and live in a small coastal town called Lucija and everyone moves over for emergency vehicles

[@harty_yt]

12:28 the "Rettungsgasse" is a german road rule that says, every vehicle have to move to the edge of the lane, to make another lane for the emergency vehicles, it also is Part of the driving license test. Disobeying the rule can get you in prison.

[@nothingisreal6345]

The issue is: in many countries ambulance drivers simply turn on the siren all the time. In India I have seen this. And in India honking the horn is a form of communication. "Listen, i am here". People do it all the time. So some siren is not a signal for an emergency. It just says: i am an ambulance.

[@onkelpencho8609]

In Germany we called it Rescue Lane.

[@automation7295]

It's funny who Germans say "drivers are obliged by law to open an emergency lane" when it the law everywhere in Europe.

[@TheKarlShow]

@@automation7295 I'm pretty sure it's not the law here, but people make room for emergency vehicles anyway.

[@MrBlackfalconuk]

Although Ambulances in America are associated with the Hospitals, you do know they are not classed as an emergency service, unless associated with a Fire Service. Being from the UK, we understand the Golden Hour, that is to say the first hour of medical attention, it is also illegal to block an emergency vehicle with two tones and lights.

[@user-bx4hc1bj5c]

In Belgium they should make an emergency lane when there's a traffic jam. Shame it's still new and a lot of people still don't know about it or do it

[@Grrblt]

I was in India (Bangalore) and saw ambulances a few times. People were happy to get out of the way for them. They also made damn sure to cut back in immediately behind them, because they knew it means going on faster.

[@Mostima115]

Always remember guys - you're own life could depend on that ambulance getting through fast one day // or you're house could be the one saved by the firetruck getting through fast

[@corriephae]

And it's bot complicated. You recognize there's a traffic jam in front of you. The left lane goes to the closest to the left. And the middle and right lane take the right side. And then you wait until you're getting out of the traffic jam. Even if you drive like a few km/h for a few meters you stay in your line.

[@xenon5441]

In Denmark it's a crime to NOT give way to emergency vehicles, and you CAN be arrested for it and charged with manslaughter if people die because they didn't give way. You can also be fined heavily and or have your drivers lisence taken away from you. Possible all three if you're a real POS.

[@arplve]

for me it's so interesting that you are so surprised by what i thought was a thing done by any country.. i'm from germany and it's being taught to us since very young, as we travel around with our parents and such.(later on, obviously, also thanks to the driving lessons) it doesn't matter where you are, even busy streets inside a city, you _have_ to stop and make space for an ambulance, the police, firetruck etc. (any emergency car). it feels so weird to me that you arent being punished. like whaaat. it's so fascinating but scary. 9:00 in situations like those, other people with their cars will always make sure the ambulance gets through !! :) it's really safe because there arent any idiots trying to speed if they hear the sirens cuz they know they need to make room and therefore slow down ! or get out of the way, at least in my city, i live right by a hospital so i get to hear the sirens all day, the roads are narrow and yet people _will_ make sure to slow down to make space so that the ambulance gets to their destination faster. it's a law to do that lmao wow. this was both bizarre but also very educational for my side as well !

[@pantern2]

That Manhattan part makes me think American obsession with huge vehicles might be part of the problem too. Or are the lanes really that thin?

[@Lukas-rs7vl]

Blocking an ambulance in Germany is a pretty serious thing. Depending on the severity, you can loose your drivers license,pay a hefty fine or even get a prison sentence. Getting a drivers license in Germany is a pretty lengthy process and costs about 1.5-2.5k ...the training you recieve will make you a pretty decent and aware driver from the start. Thats why we can afford to have no speed limits on some parts of the Autobahn, while having a relatively low number of casualties through accidents.

[@fritzschmidt5149]

In Germany, it is now the case that when there is a traffic jam, an emergency lane must automatically be formed to clear the way for any emergency vehicles that may be approaching. If there are 2 lanes, one row to the left and one to the right, if there are 3 lanes, one row to the left and 2 to the right. Anyone who blocks emergency vehicles can expect heavy fines.

[@smnckl8602]

In Germany, Austria and other European countries there is something called Rettungsgasse (rescue lane). If there is a traffic jam on the highway, the cars on the outer left lane are supposed to position themselves as far left as possible. All other vehicles have to move to the right. So it's a prophylactic procedure: In case an ambulance, police or firefighters have to get through there already is space for them. It doesn't work all the time but for the most part. Usually it takes one person to begin the procedure and as soon as people notice they follow.

[@gamingtonight1526]

Simple: The cheaper life is, the less drivers care about emergency vehicles. Hence, China, India, etc, where life is cheap. America is a special case. They are just ignorant. Although in that second USA video, a guy got out of his car and was trying to tell other drivers to move over!

[@101steel4]

Selfish

[@jamesoshea580]

Most Americans value guns over human life, so I can't imagine a siren will have the desired effect.

[@101steel4]

​@@jamesoshea580probably their right not to move 😂😂😂

[@klizzard5166]

@@jamesoshea580 wrong. what u watched there is in places where its really hard to get a gun. its just pure ignorance "i gotta get to work 10 sec faster so i wont pull over for the ambulance"

[@50733Blabla1337]

@@klizzard5166 hard for us standards. Its incredibly easy compared to all other OECD nations even in your hardest parts tbh

[@zeroone5097]

Hi this is interesting as my cousin has got back from visiting me here in the UK and she said when she got back to Canada she noticed how bad the drivers are there compared to here , she said people in England on the most part seem better drivers and not cutting up other road users and here we drive quicker but better even though our roads are narrower .

[@autdelux]

in germany and austria you have to do this when a traffic jam accures even if there is no ambulance its called "rettuntgs gasse" emergancy lane when you dont make a lane free in a traffic jam you pay big fines when a cop sees you. i know because i have paid once because i drove my motorcycle in that supposed to be free lane in a jam before ;)

[@ClaudiaEhrhardt]

I'm German, we learn in driving school to give way to everyone with a siren. For years I maily use public transportation and just for 1,5 years I drive, if the weather is okay, a Vespa scooter. Just happened a few weeks ago, I had stopped at a red traffic light and was already trying to figure out from where I heard a siren. The traffic light turned green, the guy in the car behind me honked, because I didn't move, I pointed to the ambulance rushing in our direction. He immediately reacted and apologized. After the ambulance passed us, we both were on our way. No big deal, no problem at all. I just heard the sirens much sooner. Actually all other drivers either waited or gave way to the ambulance. Easy peasy for the EMS.

[@absolempt4635]

For those that don't let the ambulances pass remember one day will be you.

[@JohnHollands]

Sydney has motorcycle paramedics for busy roads, especially the CBD. it’s magic to see them weave through traffic, they do the same training as police riders.

[@leoevs441]

I would expect people to not move out of the way in countries like India, China etc but the USA shocked me a little.. here in the UK it's pretty much like Germany, you hear sirens and you pull over as best as you can...

[@robvanderkroft6515]

The usa is king of only thinking about themselves

[@Himolino]

I'm german. You actually have to move when there is traffic, even though there aren't any ambulances, yet. So, If you really wait to start moving until you can hear the ambulance, that's a big difference.

[@automation7295]

I'm Scandinavian and seeing USA didn't shocked me at all, I expected people to just sit there blocking the ambulance. Anyone in these USA clip needs to have their license taken away.

[@moondaughter1004]

In Sweden we have like electronic tolls. There are cameras that will register your license plates and send you a bill. Most tolls are around like 1$

[@hanafris3449]

Very interesting video! Here in the Czech Republic, clearing the way for an ambulance is a matter of course. Even when there are traffic lights at road repair sites, cars automatically stop at the right edge of the road in case an ambulance comes. Of course, there are a few bad drivers here too.

[@ivanpetrov5255]

Honestly, the first four clips were pure chaos - cars almost bumper to bumper, parked cars, no place to move out of the way, even if you want. Compared to Poland, and Europe in general, cars drive to the right, leaving left lanes as free as possible. And most main city streets are free of parked cars, not always, but most. With two lane roads, scooting over to the side is perfectly easy, too.

[@ribaldc3998]

in Germany: Points: 2 points on the driving licence register (From a certain number of points, the driving licence can be withdrawn), Driving ban: 1 month, Financial penalty 200 €. The penalties may be higher in individual cases

[@ITLLBGRAND]

(Ireland) i remember my dad tell us as kids that if you ever see/hear lights and sirens you either move over if you've space regardless of lines, or you speed till you can.

[@willemgeboers]

I'm totally blown away that people DON'T move out of the way. Dutch here. I know you've done many vid's on us too so again man. During driving lessons they just tell you once or twice- to safely move out of the FUCKING way. Hahahah it blows my mind that people don't do that. It's not rocket science.

[@automation7295]

It's funny how people swear and KZbin never delete their comments, but when I swear and KZbin delete my comment.

[@automation7295]

If people can swear on KZbin, then I swear at lot in public.

[@automation7295]

Whenever I see or hear people swearing, it makes me wanna swear like a sailor in public.