Being aware of emergency vehicles on the roads when they have their sirens and lights on and responding accordingly can help emergency crews improve response times. The University of Iowa College of Public Health conducted a study and found police officers were almost twice as likely to get into a car collision when they are responding to an emergency situation. Washington County Sheriff Jared Schneider reminds not only first-time drivers, but all drivers about the correct procedures to take when an emergency vehicle is near them, “It’s definitely something that can make our response to scenes a little bit more hazardous with the way people react to our lights. It’s best if you see them out in front of you to get off the road, don’t wait for them to get to you. If you see them come up behind you, make sure you get over, don’t overreact. Just get over as quickly and safely as you can and let us pass before you get back on the road.” Schneider also reminds drivers to slow down and get over to the opposite lane of traffic, when possible. For example, move over if law enforcement has pulled over a driver, construction or utility crews are working on the side of the road, or another driver’s car has broken down. He says doing this simple action will keep those on the side of the road safe.