Siren panic: anxiety over hearing approach fire trucks may have contributed to a collision
It was a situation where it appears good intentions led to a bad outcome.
Dashcam video posted to social media shows traffic converging at the intersection of Hamilton Road and Highbury Avenue on Tuesday evening when a fire truck can be heard approaching.
A southbound vehicle in the left turn lane tries to make the turn to clear a path for the fire truck, but the vehicle is hit by a northbound car.
The turning vehicle takes a glancing blow, the northbound vehicle slows and pulls to the side of the road. Reports indicate there were no serious injuries.
"When emergency services and fire trucks come up behind, a lot of people panic," says London Fire Department Platoon Chief Gary Mosburger.
He understands that vehicles are encouraged to safely pull to the right and stop but he says the most important part is simply to stop, and remain stopped.
"In this case, where we were. We were in the hammer lane, able to make a turn around them so it's best they stay right where they are."
He says if emergency responders need a vehicle to move they’ll indicate where to go in order to keep everyone safe.Intersection of Huron Road and Hamilton Road in London, Ont. on Jan. 26, 2022. (Gerry Dewan / CTV News)“Our firefighters are trained at a very high level to respond to emergency situations, and to also gauge the behaviours of other drivers.”
In the circumstance on Tuesday night, firefighters had to abandon their initial response to check on the occupants of the two vehicles.
Mosburger says it’s a concern if crews are being diverted from a more significant emergency, such as a medical emergency or a working fire.
Highbury Avenue and Hamilton Road consistently makes the list of intersections with the highest number of collisions.
The intersection has high traffic volumes and vehicles heading north on Highbury from Highway 401, going from a 100 km/h zone, down to 50, but drivers don’t always make the adjustment.
The southbound left turn lane also has a significant offset where drivers are often seen doing the “creep-and-peak,” looking for oncoming traffic. In some cases, they simply wait for the light to change, not wanting to take the chance.
Aiham Alshalabi works for a food delivery service, occasionally picking up orders from restaurants at the corner of Highbury and Hamilton.
He says he has learned to treat every intersection with extreme caution, "I want to pay attention to my mistakes and to others mistakes.”
The city says the intersection is currently being studied, with the goal of making safety improvements but that work isn’t expected to get underway until at least 2029.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Why these immigrants to Canada say they're thinking about leaving, or have already moved on
For some immigrants, their dreams of permanently settling in Canada have taken an unexpected twist.
Trump hush money trial: Play-by-play on Day 2 of Stormy Daniels testimony
Adult film star Stormy Daniels took the stand for a second time Thursday as former U.S. president Donald Trump's hush money case continues in Manhattan.
Ontario family receives massive hospital bill as part of LTC law, refuses to pay
A southwestern Ontario woman has received an $8,400 bill from a hospital in Windsor, Ont., after she refused to put her mother in a nursing home she hated -- and she says she has no intention of paying it.
Here are the ultraprocessed foods you most need to avoid, according to a 30-year study
Studies have shown that ultraprocessed foods can have a detrimental impact on health. But 30 years of research show they don’t all have the same impact.
Miss Teen USA steps down just days after Miss USA's resignation
Miss Teen USA resigned Wednesday, sending further shock waves through the pageant community just days after Miss USA said she would relinquish her crown.
Cyclist strikes child crossing the street to catch school bus in Montreal
A video circulating on social media of a young girl being hit by a bike has some calling for better safety and more caution when designing bike lanes in the city. The video shows a four-year-old girl crossing Jeanne-Mance Street in Montreal's Plateau neighbourhood to get on a school bus stopped on the opposite side of the street
B.C. wildfires likely to spread with weekend temperatures expected to soar, province says
Wildfire and emergency management officials in British Columbia are urging residents to be prepared for increased fire activity as temperatures are expected to soar above 30 C in parts of the province this weekend.
Wilfrid Laurier football player drafted despite only playing 27 games in his entire life
A Listowel, Ont. man, drafted by the Hamilton Tigercats last week, is also getting looks from the NFL, despite only playing 27 games of football in his life.
Ontario man frustrated after $3,500 paving job leaves driveway in shambles
An Ontario man considering having his driveway paved received a quote from a company for $7,000, but then, another paver in the neighbourhood knocked on his door and offered half that rate.