Viral video shows Calgarians failing to move for fire truck

The Calgary Fire Department says a growing frustration with the way motorists treat emergency vehicles could lead them to start their own program, to help police fine motorists who don’t get out of the way.

Firefighters were left shaking their heads in frustration during evening rush hour last Thursday, after a truck responding to a call had trouble driving past downtown drivers.

Video of the truck was trying unsuccessfully to travel along 6th Avenue southwest was posted by user ‘Crackmacs’ on YouTube.

With sirens blaring and lights flashing, the truck still seemingly gets little cooperation from nearby motorists.

In the end it took two minutes for the truck in the viral video to travel slightly more than two blocks.

“It was troubling and it’s a frustration all firefighters deal with in Calgary traffic,” says Deputy Fire Chief MacCharles. “Makes it very difficult to get to where we need to be, and seconds count in our business.”

The rules dictate that drivers should pull over to the right on a two-way street, or pull over to either side on a one-way street.

According to the Alberta Motor Association, those rules are covered as part of the curriculum for all drivers in Canada.

“If you take an approved driver education program, its part of the curriculum,” says Ron Wilson with AMA.

Calgary police say it's a $172 fine if you’re caught not yielding the right of way to an emergency vehicle.

However, it's getting to the point where firefighters are considering more action to try to curb bad habits.

MacCharles suggests the department might launch a campaign to start “taking more license plate numbers of those who just don’t know what to do.” Officials say it’s not something they want to deal with, but lives are potentially at stake on every call.

Firefighters say another serious problem is motorists who don’t obey the 60 km/h speed limit while in a lane adjacent to emergency responders on highways.