Dangers for Ambulances

After reading your excellent July 7 article about the danger ambulance attendants and drivers face on the streets of L.A. due to the lack of compliance with the law on pulling over to the right, I would like to express how it feels to be the patient in that ambulance.

On the rainy night of Feb. 19, I had a stroke; after a very encouraging quick response to our 911 call, the nightmare trip to the hospital is fortunately partially blocked out due to my condition. At two major intersections cars failed to yield and when the ambulance had to put on its brakes, it was only due to their skilled response that I wasn’t killed in a crash. At one major intersection we had to wait for all traffic to yield, despite lights and siren. When time is a life or death matter--and it is your life--the trauma of uncaring drivers is almost greater than the stroke (well, not quite).

Not only should more tickets be issued but the penalties for failure to yield should be greater--say a ride in an ambulance. And a rude driver to make the ride dramatic.

I would like to express my gratitude to the brave, skilled ambulance personnel who face this daily. Once was enough for me.

DORIS PENNER

Los Angeles

* Maybe folks were ignoring sirens in 1946, but today there are many, many more cars on Southern California streets and people are driving much, much faster.

Recently at one of the busiest (and most dangerous) intersections in Pasadena just south of a number of freeway ramps, I was stopped, far over in the right lane for a siren up the street, when the driver behind me kept honking for me to cross the intersection--sure death.

The whole driving scene today is out of control. Maybe if the fines get high enough they’ll slow down. Who knows?

MARY MEYER

Pasadena