Distracted EMTs and paramedics while driving
A question was posed to me yesterday. There is plenty of research and documentation regarding distracted drivers --> due to music, cell phones, texting, etc.
But what about EMS? Do you think that there is an issue regarding distracted EMTs and medics while driving an ambulance?
For those managers out there, does your driving policy tackle this issue? With twitter, facebook, texting, etc. available on any cell phone, it would seem to be a growing concern.
Tags: ambulance, cell, crash, distractions, facebook, phone, safety, texting, twitter
Views: 421
Replies to This Discussion
-
Permalink Reply by Dewayne on -
I'm not real sure about policy, but I make it clear to anyone driving for me that phones are right out and I operate the radio while moving. Sure, I've been called things that I can not put in this message, but in almost 20 years of being on the road I haven't been in an accident.
-
Permalink Reply by John Walsh on -
We recently had a Firefighter/EMT with over 20 years of experience drive into a telephone pole while trying to call in his starting mileage over the radio. Both the unrestrained Firefighter/EMT who was taking the patient's BP per our protocol, and the patient himself were taken by other ambulances to the hospital. The patient was uninjured. The Firefighter/EMT was thrown into the unpadded cabinetry and ended up in stairwell by the side door. He had orthopedic injuries and was several weeks returning to duty.
-
Permalink Reply by Joe P. on
-
Your protocol states that you have to be unrestrained while taking a BP? It's definitively possible to take a BP from the bench seat while seat belted, however it takes a little practice to get used to it.
-
Permalink Reply by Joe P. on
-
One of the reasons why it's not as enforced as it could be is that a lot of people can do things like operate the radio while paying attention. It's all about muscle memory. When I left my first company (my second company used Nextels, and I absolutely abhorred them), I could pick up the mike, key it, listen for the beep (it beeped when the connection was made), and send the short transmission without taking my eyes off of the road. Obviously this doesn't work when channels need to be changed or when there are significant configuration differences between ambulances in the fleet. After all, what happens when something needs to be communicated and your partner is in the back?
I do agree, however, that texting needs to be extremely seriously.
-
Permalink Reply by Jerry Payne on -
It is absolutely an issue in EMS. Not only do we have normal driving. Add on 8,000 lbs. Then drive emergency. I have had partners look at and reply to texts while driving(???). They might as well of been driving around with their eyes closed.
Our policy strictly prohibits any use of cellular phones while operating a vehicle. We also encourage the partner to perform all radio, light, and siren operations while the vehicle is in motion through policy...and it is enforced.
-
Permalink Reply by Michael Capps on
-
You go Dewayne......Cant be to safe on these roads:
-
Permalink Reply by Tauv on -
Its all about skill, i talk on radio, operate HF sirens lights and on non-emergent driving I will occasionally send a text. and in 15 years not a single accident, (knock on wood so the spirits cant hear) and there are other people I have worked with who can bearly drive, period. Unfortunatly, there is things we must do while operating an emergency vehicle call in on radio, look in mirrors, check on how all is going in back of the truck. Whats the difference in chatting with partner and chatting on phone? not much! unless you have no hands free kit. I am a firmbeliever in 2 hands on the wheel.
-
Permalink Reply by Joe P. on
-
There's actually a big difference between talking to someone in the passenger seat and talking on the phone. People on the phone can't see the road conditions and don't know when they need to shut up because you need to focus on driving. The entire issue of cell phone use isn't an issue of hands free vs not hands free. It's the conversation.
-
Permalink Reply by Samuel F. Gates on
-
This is a safety issue pure and simple. If management does not have a policy, they are asleep at the wheel, willing to risk your safety, the patient's safety, and the safety of the public. If you do ANYTHING other than focus on operating your vehicle then you are asleep at the wheel.
All necessary communications should be made by someone other than the operator of the vehicle unless absolutly imposssible. Then the vehicle should be brought to a stop in a safe location prior to using the radio.
Also to reduce the risk it should be part of mandatory ambulance specifications that they be equiped with noise cancelling headsets so if the operator has to use the radio they do not have to take their eyes off the road.
Like mandatory restraint use coupled with well designed effective restraints, combining policy with technology improves our performance and reduces the risk to everyone.
-
Permalink Reply by Sctty Ritenour on
-
Our driving policy specifically address' cell phones & texting as well as requiring that all, even managment, take an EVOC class every 2 years as well as another driver training program on the computer.
-
Permalink Reply by Scott on
-
Kris
Our policy is no personal electronic device usage while the unit is in motion. No cell, no texting, no netbooks, no nuttin'. The unit cell phone, mobile radio and MDT should be used by the second person, not the driver. The only thing the driver is supposed to do is hit the button on the MDT when they get enroute to the hospital and they're supposed to do that prior to putting the truck in drive. (notice my repeated use of "supposed to....")
As far as being distracted, you betcha. I ride a QRV by myself so if I glance down at the MDT or look down at the radio to change channels then obviously my eyes are off the road for a bit. Add flashy lights, siren noise and radio traffic to that and it's a wonder that we aren't involved in more wrecks than what already occur.
30+ years of operating emergency vehicles (Fire/Rescue, EMS and Law Enforcement) and all the wrecks I've been involved in were when I was in the back of the box, not behind the wheel.
scott
-
Permalink Reply by Trevor Dolby on -
I don't see it as a big issue . Probably not more than one or two ambulance attendants die a year because the driver was on the phone ( or radio ) . We don't need a policy , we need thinking people on our crews .
© 2013 Created by EMS1 Network.
