Aussies lash out at drivers over an infuriating act on the road
- Aussies slam slack motorists
- Ambulance stuck in stubborn traffic
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Aussies have lashed a group of drivers who appeared to block the path of an ambulance flashing its lights and sirens as it tried to move through an intersection.
Rows of cars were banked up behind a red light on the Gold Coast Highway at Cypress Avenue in Surfers Paradise, while an ambulance desperately tried to pass.
The paramedics, accompanied by an emergency motorcycle, had already travelled about 50m through the traffic jam.
Cars further down the road had already moved toward the edges of their lanes to allow the ambulance through.
However, the cars at the front of the queue barely moved, blocking the emergency vehicle's path as they waited for the light to turn green.
The ambulance managed to eventually pass when a turning lane light went green, allowing it to skirt around traffic.
The footage was uploaded to Facebook, with countless Aussies slamming the drivers who weren't quick enough to get out of the way.
'The issue is that no one gets out the way, including those vehicles not directly in front of the (ambulance),' one viewer wrote.
'How would you like it if the (ambulance) was late to your relative because they waited for the lights to go green?'
'This infuriates me. Lights and sirens means just move safely out of the f***ing way,' another said.
'It's painful,' another agreed.
'The only time drivers are worried they'll get a ticket for going through a red light,' wrote one.
An emergency driving instructor said the ambulance 'should turn off their siren and wait'.
'Should a collision occur as a result of their action they are potentially liable,' they said.
'In the situation they're in there, it is likely they will absorb so much of the other drivers' attention that few if any will notice when the light changes, creating a longer delay and greater risk than waiting patiently.'
A highway patrol officer and high speed driving instructor disagreed.
Aussies have lashed out after footage showed an ambulance held up in traffic (pictured)
'It is a condition of your driver's licence to make way for emergency vehicles,' he said.
'Personally, I think the the driver did a fantastic job, and the public were able to make a safe - although slow - thoroughfare. Some confusion, no doubt.
'It must have been an urgent enough job to continue - (like a) cardiac arrest - where seconds count. Well done to the driver, and well done to the public for abiding by their conditions of licence and creating safe passage.'
Motorists are advised to 'merge left or proceed through the red light only if it is safe to do so,' according to Queensland Fire and Emergency Services.
Inhibiting the progress of emergency vehicles carries tough penalties in Queensland.
They include $389 fines for moving into the path of an emergency vehicle, and failing to move out of the way of a vehicle with its sirens on.
Drivers can also cop $500 fines for unsafely passing a lit-up and parked emergency vehicle.
