By E.J. Smith

Brrr…is it winter already? Sure does feel like it in the early mornings when my little dog and I take our daily walk. We both enjoy the crisp air though and find lot of things to take pictures of in the park. Then, it sure does feel nice when we get back to the warmth of our home!

This week we are talking about traffic again and why some things are done or not done. As we have said before, we stop for funeral processions out of respect for the deceased and their families. I think this is a nice tradition, even if it is not required by law. What is required by the law in this situation is that drivers meeting a funeral procession pull off to the side of the road and not stop in the road. We are not to pass a funeral procession on a two lane road and are not to get between cars in the procession. As long as we follow these three rules, we should not get tickets as we wonder what to do.

Now, ambulances are a different story. It seems that drivers are often unsure of what to do or do not care that someone is having an emergency and needs help immediately. According to The Rogersville Review (May 11, 2018), their ambulance and fire truck drivers have observed drivers doing the following when they hear an ambulance, fire truck or police car approaching from any direction:

1. They slam on the brakes and stop where they are. 

2. They slow down without changing lanes.

3. They slow down, let the emergency vehicle pass and then speed up and follow it.

4. They speed up and try to outrun it. How does that work for you if you are one of these offenders? If you have not gotten a ticket, then you will if you continue to ignore the law about emergency vehicles. The law states that when an ambulance or other emergency vehicle approaches from behind or is oncoming, is to pull to the right and stop and be sure to wait a minute to make sure there are no additional ones coming behind it. This simple action could save lives that are endangered and yours as well. As well as being the law, it is the right thing to do. Would you want some dumb donkey to do any of the above behaviors and cause you or your family member(s) to die? I don’t think so! 

Vehicles on a divided highway are not required to stop and pull over when an ambulance, fire truck or police car is approaching in the other lane.

I want my readers who have let me know how they feel about things I present in this column that I appreciate their feedback very much. Feedback is good whether positive or negative, I welcome both! However, today I am announcing that, due to a lack of feedback and/or input from readers, I will be doing the column That Burns My Biscuits, from weekly to twice a month. I have no way of knowing how you feel about the things I write about if I get no action from readers. Also, my volunteer jobs are very important to me and I need to devote more time to them. And last, I need to get a paying job! Wish me luck! In the meantime,

You are in my prayers!

E.J.