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To the Editor:

On December 19, just after dark, I rode in the front seat of an ambulance while my mother lay in the back. We traveled from the Menola community, through St. John, Ahoskie, then to the hospital in Windsor.

I counted at least five vehicles whose drivers refused to move off the road for the ambulance. According to the ambulance driver, this is a frequent occurrence. My mother had fallen and struck her head; she died early the next morning.

To those of you who do not clear the road for emergency vehicles: Shame on you. I know you see the flashing lights, you hear the sirens, and finally the driver on the loud speaker asking you to please yield the highway. Not only is it state law to move over for emergency vehicles, it’s the decent thing to do.

Someone you love could be in the back of that ambulance. Someday it might be you, lying there and knowing that minutes count during illness and severe injury. When a fire truck appears in your rearview mirror, it could be rushing your house or your neighbor’s house.

I would like to see cameras installed on the front of emergency vehicles to record the selfish individuals who refuse to comply with this law. I would like to see these people fined and points go on their driver’s license and insurance and, if applicable, jail time for manslaughter.

Kay Barber Evans

Chocowinity, NC