American Shocked by How Germans React to Ambulance Siren

Thank you so much for watching!

Where should we go next? 🌏❓

[improvesheffield]

I’m shocked that you’re shocked Joel. This is normal behaviour here in the U.K. and, I imagine, most of the western world - other than the US it seems.🙁

[TMTMmmmy]

It's a law and it's taught in driving school. You have to form a free lane when the traffic slows down, be prepared even before you here a siren.
Not to mention, the faster the helpers get to the accident, save lives, clear the street, the faster the traffic jam is released.

[D___]

As a European I’m shocked that you’re shocked, I’ve always thought this was just the normal thing to do and that everyone did it always!

[mr.strange]

As a Belgian, I can share this is exactly what happened to me when my wife's water broke at home and I realized there's a huge traffic jam along to the hospital. So I rang an Ambulance, they were at my place within 5min. The emergency staff insisted to sit in front of the ambulance as I was in no state to drive myself.
The highway was completely jammed, ambulance went in full-fledged sirene mode and it was really like Moses split the sea. The 2 lane highway split left and right so we could drive in the middle, we passed 1000s of standing vehicles and there were 0 exceptions. The lane was split well far in front of us, people automatically start splitting when they see others doing in their mirror, not always needing to hear sirens first necessarily. If I didnt rang the ambulance it would have taken me easily +1hr to get to the hospital, now it took us 10mins. I'll never forget that splitting scenery in front of me and how I felt grateful to all these drivers in the moment.

[ufftatabummbumm]

I'm a paramedic in Germany, most of the time, this is what happens, although there is always that one driver who screws up. The reason why drivers this far away move to the side, is because they hear the horn (most ambulance and all fire trucks also have a much louder air compressed horn, besides the normal electronic horn). Even this far away, when drivers hear it and look in the back mirror, and see people make space, they know what's up.

[annadobrowolska]

I'm from Poland and the most shocking thing for me is that for you it's shocking. It seems so normal to me that it didn't even think that in some other country someone might not create a 'emergency corridor' for an ambulance. it's pretty sad

[martinhoneves]

This is normal in almost countries in Europe. I am honestly shocked that you are shocked. At least you are trying to learn, big kudos to you man!

[JeanMcMahon-Irish]

I'm shocked! In Europe this is normal that we make way for the ambulances to get through. I'm in Ireland 🇮🇪 Same for the fire brigade.

[minimal]

Small clarification: they're not doing that because of the siren. It would already be too late if they waited for the siren. You have to move right and left as soon as traffic gets super slow or stops, because you don't know if an ambulance might be needed. Because there's no way to do this once everyone is stopped. You can also get fined if you fail to do this. They've also been pushing this recently, I don't think it was that much of a default a few years ago. makes sense, and I like it!

[Modswanted]

The key in having a good rescue lane (called "Rettungsgasse" in german) is, that cars don't start to make space when the rescue forces are approaching, BUT already when you see, that the traffic starts to slow down and you know you will come to a stop soon. THIS is the point when you should apply this rule, so when the rescue vehicles are approaching, all cars have already made the lane free.

[Jan-ljej]

In Germany, this is called "Rettungsgasse" which means "rescue alley". If you are on the highway (or any other major road with barriers/etc in the middle) and there is a traffic jam, you have to form this alley. If you block emergency services you can actually get a pretty big fine in some cases. The alley is always between the inner most lane and the one right next to it. The rules are different in every country in Europe, but I do not know one that doesnn't have similar rules in place.

[magni]

One big reason for all this is that getting a drivers' license in Germany is actually pretty hard comparatively. You need to do a first aid course and at least like 20 hours of theory courses in driving school plus at least 12 hours of practical training with a driving teacher in the passenger seat (this including 3 hours of nighttime and 4 hours of Autobahn driving) to be even allowed to take the actual state exam. Which includes both theoretical testing and a ~2-3 hours practical test with a state examiner on the passenger seat. And both of these aren't easy.

[zokieboi]

That thing (called a "rescue lane") is required by law in most of Europe. I've been transported by an ambulance twice in the past 2 years, and after these guys did their best to save my life, making space for them every time I hear the siren to enable them to do their best once again is the least I can do.

[escariote]

In Poland it's called "the life corridor" (direct translation) and it's required by law to do that. If the video from ambulance will be forwarded to police (and often it is), the owner of car/motorbike/etc. that didn't leave space for privilaged vehicle to go will get a ticket (not a little one too).
It's freakin sad that this is not the norm worldwide and anyone is shocked by it.

[Basti]

Hi Joel,
the reason why there is a "rescue alley" as far as the eye can see, is because we learn from the beginning, that when it comes to a traffic jam, all cars have to move to the side to form that "alley". Whether there comes an emergancy car or not. So if there comes one, the "alley" is already there. Its a big advantage and it does save lifes.

[SleepyFen]

The knowledge that taking 2 minutes out of your day to slow down and move to the side could save someone's life is all of the reason any decent human being needs to do this. The action may seem small in isolation, but every one of these drivers contributed to potentially saving someone's life.

[Tozischi]

In the UK, if you hear a siren (doesn't matter whether it is police, ambulance or fire), you and pretty much everyone in the car start trying to figure out if it is behind you and coming towards you or in another direction. And if it is coming towards you, you start figuring out how to get out of the damn way. It's called Common Decency, because it could easily be someone you know whose live depends on those precious few minutes.

[leandrana]

In Germany, this is called a "Rettungsgasse" rescue lane. You are taught this in driving school. Cars make room not only on the highway, but also on all other roads. At intersections, everyone stops, regardless of whether the traffic light is green. That is why it is not allowed to have the music too loud, so that you can hear the sirens in case of emergency.

[stellascott]

Same in Sweden, if you don't move over you'll get fined. I love to see how people instantly start cooperating to move out of the way when an emergency signal is heard, or just seen for that matter. It warms my heart. I still remember the emphasis when I took my license. "It's a question of life and death!! It could be your child in danger!"

[ironflag]

In Austria, in the event of a traffic jam, a "rescue lane" must be automatically formed regardless of accidents, etc.