Because the next life saved may well be yours!

To the Editor: Life is full of uncertainty. Fire, illness or injury can affect anyone at anytime. For example, there were 4,630 vehicle crashes in Sussex County in 2005, a figure that’s been increasing yearly. Thankfully, there are people in our communities who volunteer their time to train, monitor and assist all who need help. Fire, Police, Medical and other Emergency personnel should be able to offer aid as quickly as possible. Anything that hinders their efforts can put a person’s life in jeopardy. Make sure that delay does not come from you. There should never be an instance of a car not yielding to an emergency vehicle signaling with lights and/or sirens. Not only is it your civic duty to pull over to the right as safely as possible, but it’s also the law. New Jersey Statutes 39:4-91 and 39:4-92 state that a driver shall yield the right of way to any authorized emergency vehicle when it is operated on official business. Violations carry up to 15 days imprisonment and/or fine of $50 to $200, two DMV points and two additional car insurance points. Astoundingly, some estimates show that up to 60 percent of drivers do not properly yield. What if it was your house burning, your car being stolen or you having a heart attack? Cars, trucks or other personal vehicles driven by volunteer firefighters and emergency medical technicians will display a flashing or revolving blue light. These lights require a special permit from the stateas well as active enrollment in a fire company or first aid squad. They are only used when these volunteers are on duty, traveling to their station or to a scene. Yield safely when you see a blue light; it’s no joke and someone needs help. C. DiPietro Hardyston