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Show 36 Jacqueline Rodriguez college of health It is estimated there are about 9,000 vehicular accidents every year in the U.S. involving an Emergency Medical Service (EMS) vehicle such as an ambulance or fire engine. Often times, these collisions result in serious injuries and fatalities not only to drivers, but to the EMTs, Paramedics, and Firefighters respond-ing to emergencies. This research study investigated the reasons why so many of these accidents occur, particularly why drivers on the road do not regularly clear the way for EMS vehicles. To collect information regarding drivers not avoiding EMS vehicles, an online survey was released to the public which asked various questions about driver's habits, distractions, and their ability to notice emer-gency vehicles while driving. The survey began 01/10/2012 and ended on 3/1/2012. There were a total of 157 drivers that participated in this study with 23% of the participants reporting they had worked on an EMS vehicle before. Drivers stated that rural roads were the easiest type of streets to notice EMS vehicles, followed by freeways and highways, then city streets. 80 participants (51.0%) claimed that while driving on city streets, they noticed an EMS vehicle from a moderate enough distance to clear the way as long as they moved quickly and 40.1% said the same for driving on freeways and highways. When participants were asked how well they could hear EMS vehicle sirens when listening to the radio, 35.0 % selected "Not Well" or "Hardly at All" and when asked the same question when talking on a hands-free cell phone, 23.0% selected these answers, as well. 121 drivers (77.1%) said that in situations where they were unable to clear the way for EMS vehicles, surrounding traffic was preventing them from moving over. A total of 8 people (5%) admitted to being involved in an accident with an EMS vehicle with 36.4% of those incidents being the civilian driver's fault. 39 participants (24.8%) claimed they had witnessed an EMS vehicle collision. The increase in variation and number of driving distractions has led to a decreased ability of drivers being able to notice EMS vehicles with lights and sirens on in enough time to safely clear the way. The results from this study will provide foundational information for further research of ways to make EMS vehicle passage safer and quicker. "WHAT FACTORS CONTRIBUTE TO DRIVERS NOT AVOIDING ONCOMING EMERGENCY MEDICAL SEVICE VEHICLES?" Jacqueline Consuelo Rodriguez (Les Chatelain) Department of Health Promotion and Education University of Utah UNDERGRADUATE RESEARCH ABSTRACTS Les Chatelain |
