It wasn't always common in Germany, this was made a law in 2016 only and there was a pretty big public campaign about the "Rettungsgasse" ("emergency lane" would be a decent translation). It's taught in driving school since then as well. It's supposed to the between the leftmost and second leftmost lane, and you're supposed to create it whenever there is a traffic jam, even when no emergency vehicles are in sight. Ideally before traffic fully stops, since moving after it stops is not always possible. It mostly works these days from my experience, most of the time when traffic stops, people start to create the emergency lane.
I’m shocked that you’re shocked Joel. This is normal behaviour here in the U.K. and, I imagine, most of the western world - other than the US it seems.🙁
I think the biggest difference between Germany and UK is that in Germany, they anticipate that an emergency vehicle might need to go through the stopped traffic, but here in UK, they stay in the middle of the lane, until they hear the siren
As a Belgian, I can share this is exactly what happened to me when my wife's water broke at home and I realized there's a huge traffic jam along to the hospital. So I rang an Ambulance, they were at my place within 5min. The emergency staff insisted to sit in front of the ambulance as I was in no state to drive myself. The highway was completely jammed, ambulance went in full-fledged sirene mode and it was really like Moses split the sea. The 2 lane highway split left and right so we could drive in the middle, we passed 1000s of standing vehicles and there were 0 exceptions. The lane was split well far in front of us, people automatically start splitting when they see others doing in their mirror, not always needing to hear sirens first necessarily. If I didnt rang the ambulance it would have taken me easily +1hr to get to the hospital, now it took us 10mins. I'll never forget that splitting scenery in front of me and how I felt grateful to all these drivers in the moment.
You learn this in the first aid course, never transport the patient in a private car. First aid, call the emergency doctor, 112. Because what do you want to do if the patient finally collapses in the car? There are some good videos where the ambulance is accompanied by 2 or 3 police motorcycles in urgent cases. That's when things really get going. . .
@@derniederrheiner4518 While true in theory, I can tell you that somtimes the emergency services take so long to arrive that you're more likely to live being transported in a private car.
@@stryker1797 I don't know how long the ambulance will take in your area and for minor injuries it might be no problem in a private car. But in Germany, the ambulance service shouldn't take much longer than 8 minutes. And then they work on the patient. So they don't just race to the hospital as quickly as possible. If you have someone in the car who could collapse, it will be difficult if you're standing somewhere you don't know or simply can't stop. What's more, you can't drive your car to the emergency entrance at the hospital. All this with someone for whom every minute counts. . .
Je suis Belge et en Belgique tout le monde s'écarte et s'arrête pour laisser passer les ambulances et les pompiers, c'est normal et obligatoire par la loi
If you are driving as you should you can see the blue lights and hear the siren, here in Europe we move over. I can only think the car that took time to move over, was driven by someone who is deaf or they weren’t looking in their mirror, or they were American?
It's a law and it's taught in driving school. You have to form a free lane when the traffic slows down, be prepared even before you here a siren. Not to mention, the faster the helpers get to the accident, save lives, clear the street, the faster the traffic jam is released.
@@IchhabezuvielCZcamsgegucktO_o I do prefer US on inside or outside, we both say inside as left of the vehicle but to me inside should mean the centre of the road
I'm from Poland and the most shocking thing for me is that for you it's shocking. It seems so normal to me that it didn't even think that in some other country someone might not create a 'emergency corridor' for an ambulance. it's pretty sad
I am german who drives through Poland to Baltic states. You have actually a lot selfish drivers . I remember 1 time when there wasn’t corridor and when it was there, some drivers were using it for themselves. Even Lithuanians act better.
@@EB-op9yw You're right, drivers in Poland are very selfish, but I've never seen someone refuse to give way to an ambulance. It's awfully sad what you say you saw. Some people shouldn't have a license at all.
In Belgium (and I'm sure in a lot of coutries) you _have_ to create a rescue lane as soon as you get in a trafic jam. 1) Once you're standing still it's hard to move to the left or right. 2) The trafic jam may be caused by an accident, and an ambulance may be on its way. Don't wait until you hear the siren. In normal trafic the ambulance will always use the leftmost/fast lane.
@@Nekomancer1983 I once was in a trafic jam as an accident had happened at Hockenheim, and cars had to fan left _and_ right to let the fire engines pass. (Fire engines are much wider than ambulances.)
Same here in Poland: left line goes to the left, others go to the right. And in Poland it is called "a corridor of life". And it is an obligation to make a free way for an emergency vehicles.
I've never heard of this (UK) interesting. What I don't get tho is that this road already has an emergency lane, so why make this extra one (blocking the emergency lane! 🤷)
@@rayaqueen9657i guess because the "Standstreifen" on the right side might by blocked by vehicles and it is sometimes interrupted. In this case theres no way through and too late to free an other way in the traffic jam.
The knowledge that taking 2 minutes out of your day to slow down and move to the side could save someone's life is all of the reason any decent human being needs to do this. The action may seem small in isolation, but every one of these drivers contributed to potentially saving someone's life.
Well when i lived in the US, many people did make conscious effort to move out of the way. However i doubt they get taught this while taking their licenses and it's more of a personal/local initiative. Seem to also vary a lot depending on state, also whether it's rural or urban areas, when i lived in Ohio most people let ambulances trough, but I didn't notice the same amount of courtesy in Pennsylvania... It's kind of interesting in a way that when you drove from Cleveland on the interstate 80 you could notice a immediate difference in drivers behavior once you transferred over to interstate 76 towards Pittsburgh. Here in Europe it's not as much of a difference, even if there's some.
Teenagers get taught that when they start driving. That's why everyone that does pull over; pulls over on the right. That's what they're supposed to do.
Small clarification: they're not doing that because of the siren. It would already be too late if they waited for the siren. You have to move right and left as soon as traffic gets super slow or stops, because you don't know if an ambulance might be needed. Because there's no way to do this once everyone is stopped. You can also get fined if you fail to do this. They've also been pushing this recently, I don't think it was that much of a default a few years ago. makes sense, and I like it!
weirdest thing is the statements of the Europeans here, they all are like "im shocked that youre shocked and this should be normal reee" ... as if this was the norm 20 years ago, because it wasnt, i even think this system was implemented only within the last decade or am i wrong?
The idea for the " Rettungsgasse" came from Karl-Heinz Kalow in 1967. It was made a law in the StVO in March 1971. Since than everyone who gets his driver's license learns this princip by heart. When you are approaching a traffic jam make sure you leave room for an ambulance, police or the fire trucks.
@@Chris_KAy The rule itself exists since a pretty long time. It only has become more public during the past few years, by campaigns of media, the ADAC and others as well as by increased fines and other punishments for those who fail to do so. Furthermore, since 1970 traffic has become significantly more, and consequently there are more traffic jams and also more accidents or other emergencies, so the rule to form such an emergency lane has become more and more important over the years.
One big reason for all this is that getting a drivers' license in Germany is actually pretty hard comparatively. You need to do a first aid course and at least like 20 hours of theory courses in driving school plus at least 12 hours of practical training with a driving teacher in the passenger seat (this including 3 hours of nighttime and 4 hours of Autobahn driving) to be even allowed to take the actual state exam. Which includes both theoretical testing and a ~2-3 hours practical test with a state examiner on the passenger seat. And both of these aren't easy.
2-3 hours for the road test is blowing my mind. I live in the US and in a state that's considered one fo the hardest to get a license in. And I've never heard of a test going longer than 45 minutes. Usually closer to 30.
@@millahnna The road test also generally includes a stretch of driving on the Autobahn and some segments of parking and narrow road driving in built-up neighbourhoods. They want new drivers to really know what they're doing.
Very similar in Luxembourg, except that instead of the first aid course you have to make an additional driver safety course 6 months to two years in, at which you get to encounter extreme situations ((water-)obstacle courses, driving on iced roads, elk tests, getting the car straightened after losing control...) and have to react to them accordingly. Until that point your driving licence is actually just on probation, and only after that driver safety training will you have a "full" driver's license.
@@steveweidig5373 I really wish we did the extreme situation training you're talking about here in the states. THe biggest reason I've waited so long to finally get my driver's license (I'm nearly 50 and have never had it) is because of how many bad drivers I see just out and about. Maybe if more of them had that kind of training, it wouldn't be so bad here.
The key in having a good rescue lane (called "Rettungsgasse" in german) is, that cars don't start to make space when the rescue forces are approaching, BUT already when you see, that the traffic starts to slow down and you know you will come to a stop soon. THIS is the point when you should apply this rule, so when the rescue vehicles are approaching, all cars have already made the lane free.
A tip I've learned after an ambulance was having trouble to get through the Rettungsgasse because a van didn't pull completely to the side: if it's a stop and go, or complete stop traffic jam, I'll make sure to have enough space in front of me to be able to move even further to the side if need be. Like almost touching the barriers kinda close, which would be impractical in a stop and go. And then obviously, checking the side mirror if anything is coming your way.
I'm a paramedic in Germany, most of the time, this is what happens, although there is always that one driver who screws up. The reason why drivers this far away move to the side, is because they hear the horn (most ambulance and all fire trucks also have a much louder air compressed horn, besides the normal electronic horn). Even this far away, when drivers hear it and look in the back mirror, and see people make space, they know what's up.
actually electric sirens are heard from further away in these conditions, especially as many pneumatic sirens are either poorly maintained or poorly mounted, or both of those aspects.
If the Rettungsgasse is porperly done, there is no need for an amublance, Firetruck or any other Blaulichtorganisation to be heared - The Rettungsgasse simply will be done at the beginning of the Stau and in many cases the good old Herdentrieb lead to the situation as shown in the video - a propper Rettungsgasse. Yes there are exceptions when it wont work, there are exceptions with people who dont know or dont care how it worked but for most of the time (in my opinion and experience) if a few people start most time it spreads from the end to the beginning
@@fransthefox9682 Nah, such Vollpfosten exist in every country and there are even people trying to be Oberschlau and use the Rettungsgasse for themself
The emergency corridor is required to form like this (at least here in Austria, but I guess it is pretty similar to other states in the EU): Left lane goes left, all the others go right. And it should already happen when traffic is moving slow (like below ~20 km/h). When you are moving slow, you can still maneuvre but you can drive much closer to the side of the road antd to other vehicles. The only tricky spots are exits, but usually it works there, too.
In Italy it is the same. We are taught in driving schools to give way to any emergency vehicle. Usually there is a lane on every motorway designed for emergency vehicles. If any one is caught using the emergency lane he may have his licence suspended on the spot.
In Poland it's called "the life corridor" (direct translation) and it's required by law to do that. If the video from ambulance will be forwarded to police (and often it is), the owner of car/motorbike/etc. that didn't leave space for privilaged vehicle to go will get a ticket (not a little one too). It's freakin sad that this is not the norm worldwide and anyone is shocked by it.
@@thefirebirdflock3440 just have people take proper driving lessons. The stories I heard from some exchange students who got their driver's licenses in the states (because way cheaper and takes way less time) are wild. In Germany you get a few dozen hours of theory at least, practical driving lessons (day, night, inside the city, outside cities, Autobahn), an official written test, and a practical exam done by a professional examiner.
@@Nico6th They can't. For US citizen driving is essential for living. They had to find a solution that is not too expensive but also teach drivers HOW to drive. It wont be easy.
It's the law in Australia as well but a scary amount of people don't do it. Actually we're supposed to move to the left, I'm not sure how it's supposed to be on a freeway but I'd hope it goes like this.
In Germany, this is called "Rettungsgasse" which means "rescue alley". If you are on the highway (or any other major road with barriers/etc in the middle) and there is a traffic jam, you have to form this alley. If you block emergency services you can actually get a pretty big fine in some cases. The alley is always between the inner most lane and the one right next to it. The rules are different in every country in Europe, but I do not know one that doesnn't have similar rules in place.
It's not just the fine sometimes, saw a firetruck scratch a cars side and take the mirror of causs they wouldn't move over. So basically if you don't move they move you and i love that
@@ncredibledark7926 Yes and no. Firetrucks are completely free to just ram your car out of the way, in order to save lives or prevent larger damages. If you parked correctly you get your car repaired/money from some insurance. If you parked illegally, tough luck
@@godmode8687 Korrekt. Ich habe in Shanghai mal gesehen wie ein abbiegendes Feuerwehrfahrzeug mit Sondersignal ein Taxi volle Möhre gerammt und über die Halbe Kreuzung geschoben hat ohne auch nur zu verzögern. Die Polizei am Ende des Feuerwehrkonvois stoppte dann. Der Fahrer tat mir fast ein bisschen leid.
Seeing this, I have an immense respect for the drivers of ambulance cars. It must be extremely stressful to get to where they are needed. And all we have to do is just GET OUT OF THE F*** WAY!
Here in Cuba, we used to have these Advanced Life Support Ambulances. These vehicles had a very distintive siren. Whenever you hear that piercing, desperate sound, every traffic, even on foot, came to a full stop. Cars piled to the right lane, even jumping to the sidewalk, and a wide corridor opened to the ambulance to go thru, making perhaps 60 - 80 mph on a busy, but now still, street.
In Germany, this is called a "Rettungsgasse" rescue lane. You are taught this in driving school. Cars make room not only on the highway, but also on all other roads. At intersections, everyone stops, regardless of whether the traffic light is green. That is why it is not allowed to have the music too loud, so that you can hear the sirens in case of emergency.
I'm not surprised the drivers pulled over, but it was odd to see cars already stopped at the side kilometers ahead of the ambulance where they couldn't possibly have seen or heard it. May they have an pp or something that alerts them?
@@scottsimon1It’s the law. When you see cars behind you pull to the side you have to aswell. Also when we are in traffic it is required to build this lane no matter if there’s an emergency. In traffic we always have to build a rescue lane and you can hear the horn miles away, it’s super loud.
Oh It's real. Germans are well organized and in Poland and EU we do the same. In Poland it's called "life corridor" and you're obligated by law to do it.
Entspann dich mal ,du Brötchen. Wir lassen uns auch einiges von der EU bezahlen, dafür ist die da. Unser Staat wär' verschuldet wenn wirklich mal das *nötige* Geld in Umwelt- und Klimaschutz fließen würde.@@mrmiezmiez765
That's really how it is here in Germany. We grow up with it from generation to generation. If an ambulance comes, make room. It can be a matter of minutes or even seconds and a person dies. Of course, there are sometimes people who react very late, but that's generally how it works here. As soon as a German hears the siren, he immediately looks in the rearview mirror and turns off the radio to better hear where the ambulance is coming from. PS: Sorry. My english is not perfect. XD
I like your videos! I am from Germany and to be honest, it feels good when you comment things about our country with respect. This is really nice from you. As a matter of fact there is no need to see or hear the ambulance here, because you are supposed to start preparing the rescue lane as soon as the traffic jam begins. There are also signs on the Autobahn which show, which lane should be held free. It is always the lane between the left lane and the middle lane. So, yes! It is nice for me to watch when things work out well. Thank you for your video!
Hi Joel, the reason why there is a "rescue alley" as far as the eye can see, is because we learn from the beginning, that when it comes to a traffic jam, all cars have to move to the side to form that "alley". Whether there comes an emergancy car or not. So if there comes one, the "alley" is already there. Its a big advantage and it does save lifes.
Furthermore, the "rescue alley" was recently added to german road laws with instructions who goes where. The cars in the leftmost lane have to go as far left as they savely can and the cars in the remaining lanes have to go as far right as they savely can, as soon as they approach very slow traffic from behind. Of course I experienced "that one idiot" myself who, when talked to, said "IF police or an ambulance comes from behind, I'll move over". That argument is stupid. In a traffic jam you usually don't have enough space to move over. Unless you drive some tiny car like a smart, VW Lupo, Audi A1 or something alike.
That's really clever! We do our best to get out of the way in Sweden, but we don't have anything like this. I really prefer this type of behaviour on the roads. Of course we don't have as much traffic as many other countries, but when it's a lot for our roads, it really is a lot!
@@ErknarThis wasn't recently added, the obligation to form an emergency lane and how exactly to do it (always between the leftmost lane and the right next one) has existed for decades.
That thing (called a "rescue lane") is required by law in most of Europe. I've been transported by an ambulance twice in the past 2 years, and after these guys did their best to save my life, making space for them every time I hear the siren to enable them to do their best once again is the least I can do.
Ive been in an ambulance once, nothing dramatic so no horns or lights but when I'm in my personal vehicle I ALWAYS stop and let them drive by, thinking: If thats me one day or even a family member/friend, I'd expect other people to do the same - you do not fucking play with other peoples lifes, simple as that. Ive been in several 'rescue lanes' and nobody fucked it up once as far as I could tell, those are the social conventions I really appreciate. Our paramedics, fire- and policemen, doctors and nurses etc. do a wonderful job and we'd be so fucked up without them.
@@balcerzaqI'm from Poland as well, I showed this to my dad and yeah. The law is surprisingly new, but everyone did it regardless because, for me at least this is a basic human reaction. It's going there to save a life, every second matters
@@Max-dv1kqi have been multiple times in the ambulance for my kids, and i also do this indeed. Even when i was in labour at 26 weeks pregnant, there was no horn and we had to drive 1,5 hour to the next hospital ( there was not much place in the hospital for prematur babies) it was very stressful
When I was learning to drive in Poland, I was taught to listen to the direction the siren is coming from and take appropriate action, but in general everybody knows about it anyway, because they've seen their parents do it a hundred times. You're allowed to break certain rules of the road while making space for the emergency services. The name we have for this communal traffic manouver translates to "the life corridor" or "corridor of life". Over many newer roads there are also billboards and LCDs reminding people to do the right thing. PS. Wanted to add: I had the chance to experience this from the other side when my daughter had a very bad pneumonia. I also learned that day that even though people move aside, driving an ambulance through heavy traffic and red lights is still a horrendously chaotic experience. Our driver was truly exceptional.
In the UK, if you hear a siren (doesn't matter whether it is police, ambulance or fire), you and pretty much everyone in the car start trying to figure out if it is behind you and coming towards you or in another direction. And if it is coming towards you, you start figuring out how to get out of the damn way. It's called Common Decency, because it could easily be someone you know whose live depends on those precious few minutes.
Is empathy, compassion and fellow human only empty words for US society? I am Swedish and we keep away when when we hear this sound. Lived in Turkey many years and they do the same. Also in Denmark, Norway and UK I see the same behavia. It seems like an US problem to me.
I'm from Spain (where is exactly the same) live in Germany nowadays an traveled a lot through Europe and I think its exactly the same in every other country of the continent. Actually, for sure in every EU country cause as you know the driving licese is standardized and is not an option. We learn that at the driving school.
I'm american and this is exactly what I personally do, tbf many Americans will also do that, but sadly there's that other half who will not give anyone space so they can get out of the way of the emergency vehicle. Y'alls etiquette is something I feel comes standard package for 99% of humans but someones culture can beat it out of them.....sadly seems to be the route america has taken 😢
Of course you have to know what to do. But the most important part is the attitude. My father only had to tell me once: Whenever you meet an ambulance, act as though they're transporting someone you love. For all you know, they may be.
The behaviour you see there is a rule in Germany. It is called building a rescue lane and that means whenever an emergency vehicle is coming from behind, the left lane drives to the most left border and the other two lanes devide to the right side actually using the hard shoulder (splitting the sea of cars for the emergency service between the left and the middle lane). The emergency services usually won't use the hard shoulder because there may be obstacles like broken cars blocking the way.
There's a short on youtube showing drivers getting out of their cars to move traffic cones off the closed side of the road due to be worked on so an ambulance can get by. I must admit it made me cry.
Spent some time in west Germany when I was in the military in the early to mid 80’s. Learned all the rules of the road and obtained a driver’s license. Came back to the states and realized that here, we view driving as a right, not a privilege. Really enjoyed my time there and especially enjoyed traveling by car.
OK - we also see it as a right.. or many of us.. "No speed limit on geman Autobahn ! free driving for free citicens !" but with rights come duties.. and we take this licensing quite serious.. I also liked driving in the US .. These signs: "Uses your setbelt. Its the law" - (or other signs with "Its the law" .. great..) And - perhaps I did not knew every exact rule - but I took a pickup truck from the rent-a-car, so I had the feeling, other drivers took care of me (or their car.. perhaps.. ;)) ..and I was a little bit confused by special-lanes..
@@TFHanisch1978 And there is the difference. It’s extremely easy to get a license here in the states. Take a written test and a short test drive and that’s it. Not nearly the same as it is in Germany. Here in Texas, drivers Ed is a requirement to obtain your 1st license, however, a parent can sign documents stating that they have taught the child the required rules and that is it. So, a lot of people get their license without having much training or experience.
Biggest problem in USA is that it's not just seen as a right, it's actually a necessity. The lobbyist of the car companies did a good job in the sixties, selling the car as the American dream. So much so that there is now no viable alternative anymore. The Not Just Bikes youtube channel has more in-depth explanations on this
It actually IS the case in the U.S., Americans are just often not very good at it. Getting your driver's license in the the States is a much abbreviated affair compared to the lengthy and comprehensive process it is in most, or all, of Europe. Americans, therefore, have a less robust knowledge of traffic rules, and driving discipline is not nearly as well instilled, sadly.
I do think this young man has slightly exaggerated the degree to which this is a problem in the U.S., though I have seen instances where drivers neglect to pull over. But it’s the law pretty much universally (I believe all 50 states have some version of a regulation that you must pull over - generally to the right - on the books, and you may be ticketed and fined for failing to do so, but in an emergency, the police are usually involved with handling the emergency, not ticketing drivers who didn’t move.
Brazilian here. We also have this, and we also call it "corredor de emergência" (emergency corridor). Not only for ambulance, but all emergency vehicles... as I could see all comments here, it is a global behavior (at least almost global...)
I'm Irish, and this is how we generally act as well with regards to sirens, no matter what emergency service is involved. We'll pull over like that for the fire brigade, the cops, or an ambulance. The idea that Americans find this so remarkable is worrying.
When I use to visit Dublin quite often I found it amazing that on the street when a ambulance went by you could look around and everyone was making the sign of the cross. Even if your not religious if I was in that ambulance I would want those good vibes coming my way. I agree with what everyone is saying here in Australia everyone gets out the way for a siren but Ireland goes that step further. It's the only country I have seen that in. I was there in the late 90s don't know if this still happens.
Just this dude and maybe some of his age group. Where I grew up there was absolute respect for sirens and everyone merged right/left to give them a lane. I don't what's been happening in the U.S. lately but if this kid's reaction is the norm then it's just another sign that people simply DGAF anymore in that country.
We don't, it's must be very rare for Americans to not move for emergency services, considering I've lived in America for 18 years and I still haven't seen someone not move to the side.
In germany we call this "Rettungsgasse" (emergency lane) We learn this in the driving school and are also obliged to do this, if you do not do this you can get a penalty. Also, radio stations always say that you should form a lane. It is often seen that, as soon as it jams, the vehicles already drive further outside. Actually, with 3 lanes, the left should go to the left and the middle and the right further to the right, so that in the middle of the emergency lane is formed.
@@edonveil9887 This is forbidden in Germany on the autobahn. The legislator assumes that every driver must be able to read a fuel gauge and therefore fill up in good time before the fuel runs out.
Yes, it is like this in any part of Germany. In cities too. You really won't find such a culture in driving, parking, walking down the street... anywhere else. Respect .
During my studies in Austria, whenever there was a traffic jam on Autobahn even without hearing a siren or something, there was always an emergency corridor (if 3 lanes, left gets closer to the side and 2 rights ones shift further to the right), which was awesome to see.
The fact that you're shocked surprises me 😂 I'm French and we don't have a reputation for discipline, but when there's an ambulance, even in cities, and it drives between cars in the middle of the road to avoid traffic jams, everyone does their best to get on the side and clear the way for it to pass. It's just basic common sense and civil responsibility.
I remember being an idiot in Paris as a kid, at the Arc D'Triomphe roundabout, 9 lanes isn't it, or 7. I tried to cross it as a pedestrian not realising they have a subway haha, never been so beeped at in my life. Lived to tell the tale anyway. French are crazy drivers, but I fit right in, being half french ancestory and having a heavy right foot. Vivre la France ❤ love it there.
Yeah. I'm not too fond of generalisations, but it seems like everyone in the USA is out for themselves. In Europe, we have more of a community culture.
@@adamkemper4708 Exactly! I'm like, "I grew up seeing my parents and the other drivers make way by pulling over to the side to let the first responders pass by!". In fact, when I don't see that happen, I assume it's a foreigner who doesn't know our laws!
Yo estoy impresionada que esté tan impresionado de esto. Aquí en Suiza 🇨🇭 hacemos lo mismo, recuerda puedes ser tu el que necesite ayuda la próxima vez, eso es todo y ya sabes como reaccionar y esto no es solo en autopistas, esto es en pueblo, ciudades, los coches se suben a los bordillos para dejar pasar, sea a policía, a ambulancias, a bomberos. Cuídense 😊
This happens in Sweden as well, but not always as orderly. I used to travel from Sweden to Spain via the highways of Denmark, Germany and France, and the German driving etiquette is top notch! I have seen this happen many times and it still amazes me. The answer to your question on how people so far ahead can see and react to the first responders is manifold. First, there is a question of how the highways are built. They are broad and straight and the trees and bushes are far away from the roads to enable better view, which gives the drivers a clearer field of rear vision. Secondly, since the style of driving is very uniform, the drivers can gauge the situation behind them by how the drivers react. The cars in front see cars behind them move to the sides, sometimes long before they even see the first responders. The drivers know what this means and automatically acts to aid, and it spreads forward so that more and more people move out of the way. It is really beautiful to see a massive stream of cars and trucks just fan away from the center lane to allow the first responders to get a clear path. There is a third reason for this behavior, and that is the German sense of order. Germans in general are very orderly in everything they do and they respect authority and rules. I have never been to the States, but I think the behaviour in traffic is ingrained in the culture of extreme individualism. As seen in many videos from the States, people like the so called "Karens" behave in a very entitled way, and I think this stems from the way Americans are breastfed with the culture of superiority and sovereignty over other countries, that America is the best, no matters what. The sense of extreme individualism is evident in so many videos I've seen. I am glad that you (the maker of this video) seem to exhibit more solidarity.
I'm in UK and a few years ago my dad had a cardiac arrest I rode in the ambulance with him and could see out the wind screen it was like water parting. This is just human decency.
Poland here - in our country its called "Life corridor" - it is taught also in driving school. If this happens in the city center, cars will enter the intersection just to give room for other cars behind them to go out of the way of an ambulance - every second matters.
Yes, I believe it now applies throughout the EU. In Germany, the rule applies that when an emergency vehicle approaches on the Autobahn (Highway), a rescue strip (Rettungsgasse) must be formed. On dual carriageways, everyone in the right lane drives to the right shoulder and everyone in the left lane drives to the left edge of the lane before stopping. On a three-lane freeway, everyone in the center and right lanes pulls to the right and everyone in the left lane pulls to the left edge, freeing the center lane for emergency vehicles.matters. On normal roads with oncoming traffic, everyone drives as far as possible to the right edge of the lane and stops.
@@callsigndd9ls897no, whenever traffic slows down it has to be formed. When you only do it when the emergency vehicle arrives, it takes far longer for the vehicle to pass
In Poland it is called the corridor of life. All drivers give way not only to ambulances but to anyone driving with signals. We do this not only on the highway but also in cities.
Yes, we do that also here in Britain, it’s respect, we have sirens going by our house a few times a day with a hospital 10 minutes or so away from us, we are on a main road, and yes vehicles pull to the left to let the emergency vehicles get through, as I see often from our window. 🏴🇬🇧
JP, what shocked me most was your very own reaction to something so natural and normal (in my country anyway and prob. all european countries). What else is one supposed to do? Someones life is at great risk, yes, you pull over to the side, clearing the way for the Ambulance, as every second counts! They need to save someones life, it's more than etiquette, it's our moral duty, and we too can feel that maybe we also helped to save someones life, by our actions.
I am wondering where Joel lives. What state. A big city? All that makes a big difference in driving behavior. Tennessee is the best. People even stop cars and get out to pay respect when a funeral cortege is passing.
It's more than etiquette, it's like the fire alarm drill- everybody has to know, what the other people will do, so he can react correct and clear the way. If it is repeated, what you should do (especially with three lanes), it gets in everybody's heads and you do it right, when the situation comes.
Well, its like that even in the most terrible european country russia. So you are right, its in all european countries like that. In a lot of countries, if you dont give way to emergency vehicle, it can even cost you a few months of your paycheck, if the result of your actions was lethal.
In many European countries even when you are in your own vehicle and hit the horn emergency ... drivers pull over because it means you're on something between life and death.
In fact, in the event of an accident, i.e. a traffic jam, the legal requirement in Germany or Austria is to leave the middle lane free. If there are three lanes, vehicles must split between the left and right lanes, if there are four lanes, they must use the two right lanes and one left lane, if there are five lanes, they must use both side lanes at most, and so on.
I also really didn‘t expect you to be so shocked. I was honestly a little shocked because of that somewhere else in the west that isn’t the normal reaction of drivers to a emergency. I can confirm that this is common sense here in Germany and Austria and not CGI. I hope that things change for the better in the US! Edit: Apparently I was mistaken in terms of how the law in the US regulates such emergency situations. I‘m very sorry if my ignorance caused any displeasure and such. Again thank you very much @poopsatan4080 for the detailed information!
I'm from the US and I thought everybody knew to slow down and yield to emergency vehicles and that's what everybody does where I live in Virginia. I'm not aware of any states where that isn't the law so this video is very confusing to me as well.
@poopsatan4080 Thanks for the information. Now I’m really confused, too 🤔 Edit: I‘m very sorry for my ignorance. Taught me a lesson that I should always listen to both sides!
In Germany you learn when training for your driver's license that in case of a traffic jam you have to create a lane for potential emergency vehicles that need to pass through. This is called "Rettungsgasse". It does not matter if there is an ambulance or not, you just keep it open in case one needs to pass through.
I've just been in Germany for over 2000km and was stuck in a multitude of traffic jams and I have not seen any of this. I guess traffic need to have come to a complete stop in order for this to happen. I do understand this is being taught as the hard shoulder is often used as a primary lane for a couple km. In the Netherlands the hard shoulder is never used as an extra lane under any circumstances, and if there is a jam they will use that to get where they need to be quick. If it's busy but no Jam they will drive the utmost left lane and everyone will get out of the way. So we don't move during a traffic jam unless there really is no other way. but 99.5% of the time they use the hard shoulder.
@@RalphVBthe right shoulder is not supposed to be the rescuers lane in germany because that is where potential broken down vehicles are stopping and they can’t move for rescuers. so if there is a full stop on the autobahn we are obligated to open upbetween the first and the second lane from left. I’m just wondering why you have not encountered that behavior because usually people slightly open that left lane even if there is no full stop but only stop and go. after a full stop there is no chance to open up the left rescuer lane.
This would happen pretty much Europe-wide, I'd guess - we certainly have the same thing happen here in the UK, because it's taught as part of your driving tuition before you take your test. But of course the Germans, being the super-efficient people they are, are going to take it to a whole new level of awesome. 😁
its kinda european union law by now. Even trainings in my country are held for drivers from out of the city from vilages TO understand this law because from time to time they dont understand whats happening. You see sirenes or blue-blue lights or red-blue lights you go to the side of the road no matter what.
Yes, yes, we Germans. I see myself more as a Saarland girl, a Saar French girl and we describe ourselves more as Gallians but less as Germans - Germanen-. I even have a French surname. Because we not only form the "emergency lane" on motorways Autobahnen, if the situation arises - this has happened to me several times - I even stop the car and pull over when the ambulance is driving through small towns, villages or even cities. If I see the ambulance, police or fire brigade behind me in the rear-view mirror, I park directly on the right and make room for these vehicles. What was initiated on motorways, I have expanded and also make room for these vehicles outside motorways when every second counts in small towns, villages or even cities. Stopping and halting the car on the right should be a matter of course.
I have to say its not always perfect in germany. Sometimes you see guys like the one in the video or even worse. But people will give him bad looks or shout to him that what he did is wrong. So its not always easy in germany.
In a German traffic jam you have to move left if you are on the most left lane. Otherwise move right. 3 lanes: car left - ambulance lane (Rettungsgasse) - middle lane to right - right lane to right. 2 lanes: car left - Rettungsgasse - right lane to right.
Same in Sweden, if you don't move over you'll get fined. I love to see how people instantly start cooperating to move out of the way when an emergency signal is heard, or just seen for that matter. It warms my heart. I still remember the emphasis when I took my license. "It's a question of life and death!! It could be your child in danger!"
It's not just here in Germany, you see this in whole europe. This is some of what you learn in driving schools, when you be teached for weeks by a professional driving teacher and not just drive with mom and dad for some hours and then you can go to your license test. You have to be teached in a lot of theory, like how to react in special situations, and then you need a lot of driving practice to be good educated for the real traffic. This is why statistic says, that driving in Germany is safer then in the US, even without speed limit. 😉
This obligation exists not only in Germany, but also in Slovenia, the Czech Republic, Austria and Switzerland. If you do not follow this or abuse it, fines can amount to €2,180. In fact, this should be mandatory everywhere in Europe.
It works --- these are emergencies . We are impressed with our services and they never ever fail .I live in Berlin and see such every day .The Firebrigade also doubles up as Ambulances for very urgent cases .Great system that works .For us lives matter more than money .
One big thing you have to know: They don't drive aside to make room for the ambulance that is there, but they drive to the side to make room for the ambulance, fire truck etc. that MAY come by at any moment. As soon as there is a traffic jam on major roads, you are legally required to build an alley for emergency services. You don't know if there was an accident ahead when you reach the end of the traffic jam. But exactly because you can't be sure, there are regulations in place to ensure that emergency services get the access they need.
Most people do not really know if there are regulations for that in the USA. It is mostly just common sense that it happens. It is not like you get training for driving in the USA. Well you might need to read "Rules of the Road" but that is it.
@@AzureDrag0n1 wym "it's not like you get training for driving in the USA"??? 😨 You guys have driving schools that teach you and let you practice with instructors and then have to pass exams right? Right?😅
@@Lilian040210 No. You just go to the DMV and fill out a form. A guy sits with you and you drive with him for 5 minutes or so. Then you get your license. There are driving schools and you can get trained but it is not mandatory.
En España también es así. Me impresiona que te sorprenda...es lo que cualquier persona tiene que hacer: ¡¡hay que pensar en los demás también!! Yo estoy sorprendida de que en Estados Unidos no se haga igual...no lo puedo entender la verdad 😮
Im German and ive seen this "splitting of the Sea" like a 1000 times. To see ur reaction, knowing that in such big Country like the US they not doing this little things to save lifes, makes me proud as a German citizen. 😢😊
You called it. These drivers are civilized and unselfish. They understand that if it were them or someone they love, they would want that immediate attention at all costs.
That's true, but it's more than that. Everyone knows the longer you block the rescue vehicles from getting to the accident scene the longer you will have to wait before the road is free again. Common sense 😂😂
Mhhmmm i wonder if the big fines you get if you don't also doesn't play a role. But i know it doesn't for me if i see a resque lane being opened i just follow the crowd and park my car to the side.
@@arturobianco848 Yes, of course, but I'm confident that most people in these countries follow this rule not because of the threat of fines, but the understanding that this is just reasonable.
YES! in the UK we all pull over, if you get trapped in the middle and accidentally block their path, we feel terrible about it. It's the right and polite way to behave, it could be your child in that ambulance!
We do this in Sweden too. It's part of our training in driving school and I think also stated by law. For all rescue vehicles, not just ambulances. Police, firemen etc.
This is how you know why following the rules like a German pays off and can even save lives. We don't just follow the rules as Germans for the fun of it, we do it because there is most often a very good reason for it. Great reaction though! I felt tense watching it like you did!
As a volunteering Paramedic in Germany, I can tell you, that this was not a first response vehicle. It was an additional ordered one. So the first response vehicle would have found a different situation. I saw two police cars, parked besides the accident side. My guess is, that one of them tried to reach the accident as fast as possible, while the second one already established the "Rettungsgasse". That is possible, because this is part of the German drivers license training. If you want to have a German drivers licence, you have to learn basic life ensuring methods and how to respond towards emergency vehicles. Also the police is trained to ensure this and they have first response vehicles/stations every few kilometres on the autobahn. Additionally, you can go to jail for up to 5 years, if your reaction causes a death of someone, involving in an accident. I once saw someone benign arrested, who caused a terrible traffic jam in the rettungsgasse...
Unlike many Australians, Germans actually take their drivers licence seriously as the privilege that it is. It's an expectation over here in Australia and any idiot can get one, many do not know the road rules and wouldn't care if they did. In saying that most are pretty good at giving way to emergency vehicles.
I am shocked too, but because of so many of them still don’t handle it correct. I am driving every day on the Autobahn, and always some cars do not build the rescue lane correctly. Even better then in Germany it is working in The Netherlands. I am always impressed about them.
This is actually very typical in most countries in Europe. For example, here in Estonia, while we're studying our driving theory, it is made clear that it's actually part of driving rules, that when you hear sirens, even if you don't see where the emergency vehicles are coming from, you already look for a spot as close to the edge of the road as possible, make sure you aren't cutting anyone off and head towards it, so in case, even if the emergency vehicle is coming from the opposite direction and that side of the road is packed and can't move out of the way, the emergency services can just jump into oncoming direction and pass through it instead. Thanks to this, emergency services can get to the outer most area of their coverage, within the city, even at peak hours, in less than 3 minutes, which saves lives, plain and simple.
It's not just sound of siren, it is when there is a traffic jam, you just pull to the side and leave the middle of the road opened. We do the same in Slovenia. One rescuer managed to promote the rule when he filmed their struggled to get thru a traffic jam due to the accident. His colegue had to run in front of their vehicle and clear the traffic. When they finally arrived to the scene he was completely exhausted. They published the video and people could see for themselves and learned the importance of creating the safery lane. People usually start moving to the side when traffic slows down.
The same rule/law in Austria! It took a couple of years till ALL drivers knew, that they had to open a "Rettungsgasse" (rescue lane). Now it works very well!!!
@@anthonyhowrard526In Germany too ❕😅 When is a dangerous situation, the "Feuerwehr" can pull other parking cars by side. One time I see it in real life... but the 🚒 men don't do it with their truck. They going out and with 3 man they pulled the car by side... without crashing the car 😂 That was very kind and I think not the normal way ❕😊 Love from Berlin 🇩🇪 Ramsi 🙋🏻♂️
@@Ramsi-Berlin thanks for the info. only been to Germany one time and it was to Berlin. We stayed in a tiny flat in former East Berlin. Really enjoyed it. The city and ppl where great.
@@anthonyhowrard526 Nice 👍🏼🙂 I was in the UK one time. It was 1 week in London together with a good friend. My friend was a medical doctor and worked two a half years in London... so he can show me many places and things 😃👌🏼 We go to clubs too. The party's and clubs was amazing 😍 And it was a city where I could imagine to live ❕ Only two places I see in my life, where I thought "Here I could be glad" This was in London and in Barcelona 😅 The people in London was so different as what I expected. I thought there are many white people with red hairs 🤣😂 In the whole week I saw only 2 persons who looked so 🙈😜 We had the whole week sunny weather with around 30°C. We going swimming on a lake... going into the green garden and that was a good contrast to the party's at night 😁
As a German I can tell this is absolutely real. This is actually required by law. So ambulances, firefighters and the police can get to any accidents quickly.
Drivers make emergency lane as soon as the traffic gets congested and slow down. Even if there's not an accident ahead, like in this video, there might be another emergency, like vehiches going to hospital, fire, crime scene, maintenance work on the highway etc. It took some years for people to figure it out across Europe, but now things run more or less smoothly.
I must admit that I am also shocked by how shocked you are. We do the same here in Australia. As soon as people notice a siren, most of them will move straight over.
in my opinion as soon as u meet on stocking traffic u should already make way for a possible ambulance, if u hear the siren or the light its already losing time for them. But ofc u are right
as a Central European, it surprises me that you are surprised by something like this :D in Europe, this is completely normal, that when you hear a siren on the road and it doesn't matter if it's a highway or an ordinary county road, you always try to create the best possible space for an ambulance, fire brigade or the police...
@@Seticzech What's happening in the video is legit. The person acting all shock by it is faking it for clicks. He knows gullible, pretentious Europeans eat rubbish like this up and he's playing them all for fools... and quite effectively. Everyone everyone yields the right of way to emergency vehicles whether they do it exactly like this or some other way that produces the same results. Bottom line. Stop being so gullible.
@@Im_With_Stupid BTW I watch US dashcammers a lot, so I can see how it looks like at US roads in my own eyes. And for me it's like tank-o-drome, just so terrible. It's not about gullibility at all.
Not just in Germany, people are taught that when from behind an ambulance is trying to get through the traffic, you always have to imagine who they're trying to get to save their lives, it could be your wife, or son, or daughter or husband. And just imagine if you're at home and the police knock at your door with the news that a family member died but could have been saved if the ambulance wasn't slowed down by idiots who wouldn't let them pass. And by law you have to let them pass.
And from Australia ... it's pretty normal. In fact, it kinda makes you feel good when you see everyone pull to the sides to create a lane specifically for the ambulance to get through 😁
Its also one of the very rare occasions where I will swear like a sailor if someone fucks it up. Most other stuff while driving doesn't really irk me. Well, not using your turn signal maybe.
100% I absolutely go nuts if I move outta the way and the dipshit infront or behind just sits there looking stupid when emergency services are approaching 🤦🏼♀️ I don't care, freely, highway, side street, intersection etc, just do it. Don't fk with other people's lives
Yes, it's a criminal offence in pretty much every European country, I believe, and it's every bit understandable. The Americans just live on another planet.
But not obeyed in the UK to anything like the same extent as in Europe. However if you were the one in trouble and needed the emergency services, you would want everyone to get out of the way.
@@simonpilk "If you were the one in trouble and needed the emergency services, you would want everyone to get out of the way". Fair enough but I was once carried to hospital in an ambulance with siren and flashing lights on and I felt very uncomfortable at the idea of disturbing so many people along the way. My condition was not that serious and I asked the paramedics to turn off the siren and flashing lights. I hate being a nuisance or disturbing people around me.
Yesterday I had to literally drive head first (softly) into a plowed-up pile of snow to make room for an ambulance in Helsinki, Finland. Luckily I managed to back out of there despite intense rush hour city traffic
I live in the UK and moved over into a bus lane to allow an ambulance to get through. I was caught on a camera and later received a penalty charge for entering a bus lane.
@@platzpropeller858 You are not supposed to pull into a bus lane to let an emergency service vehicle pass and they changed the highway code in 2022 to reflect this. So the penaly charge would have been upheld on appeal. The best thing to do is stay out of the bus lane so the ambulance can use that. If you think about it that makes the most amount of sense since bus lanes are usually empty.
In my experience, this video about German reactions to emergency vehicles could be replicated for almost every country throughout Europe. However, Joel, if you think the response in the US is poor, most cities in Africa would shock you even more.
In case of emergency it is really like that. In every other circumstance on german autobahn the right lane is for lorries and horses, the middle for the deaf and blind and the left lane for the other 98% fighting to be faster than exactly the one car in front of them.
I always warms my heart when I hear an ambulance an everyone's making a perfect part. It's like everyone is trying their best to help the person in need, even though it's just driving to the side and making room for the ambulance.
I live in Norway, and it is just the same here. European driving education is more extensive than in the US I think, and this is an important point in the theory. We don't have so many roads in Norway with more than 2 lanes in each direction, but on 2 lane roads it is even easier to know what to do. Just slow down and get onto the shoulder of the road. Even on roads with one lane in each direction this is usually quite effective. If you are on a road with one lane in each direction then don't stop on the shoulder if there are obstacles in the center between the lanes. Sometimes it can be hard to hear the siren, so for me it is usually the blinking blue lights in the rear view mirror that alerts me. There are always a few that is slow to be aware of the situation so you have to be thoughtful in how you manouver your car and try to estimate how all cars can find a space on the side of the road.
@@EnjoyFirefighting warum hinterfragen Sie das so vehement? Warum sollte Norwegen kein Gesetz zur Rettungsgasse haben? Und selbst ohne Gesetze halten sich Menschen an Konventionen die sich als nützlich erwiesen haben.
@@EnjoyFirefighting Why don't you look it up? It took me less than 60 seconds of searching to find the actual law in question. And, as anyone who has been driving a car around Europe knows, yes they do exactly that in Norway. And elsewhere.
@@sisuguillam5109 weil es dieses Gesetz schlichtweg nicht gibt. Ja, es gibt ein Gesetz um Platz für EInsatzfahrzeuge zu schaffen, aber es gibt das Gesetz zum Bilden der Rettungsgasse nicht. Das komplette Norwegische Autobahnnetz umfasst weniger Kilometer als allein die A9 hierzulande lang ist. Es konzentriert sich dabei überwiegend auf die Hauptstadtregion und die von dort aus nach Südwesten, Südosten und Nordosten verlaufenden Verkehrsachsen, dann nochmal um die zweitgrößte Stadt des Landes herum ein Stück Autobahn, und an nur zwei weiteren Punkten sehr kurze Abschnitte. Mehr gibt es nicht. In den nördlichen zwei Dritteln des Landes gibt es keinen einzigen Autobahnkilometer und die Einwohner sind teils mehrere Tagesetappen weit weg von der nächsten Autobahn. Da würde es nichtmal Sinn machen, es zu lehren (wenn es das Gesetz geben würde, was nicht der Fall ist). Stell dir vor du müsstest erstmal 4 Tage lang fahren bevor du zu einer Autobahn kommst und du würdest es in deiner Gegend nie und nimmer anwenden. Klar, kein optimales Beispiel, denn mancherorts bist auch fast ne Tagestour von der nächsten Ampel entfernt, aber ja ... wenn man weiß, in welchen Ländern es die Rettungsgasse tatsächlich gibt, dann ist es leicht nach dem Ausschlussprinzip zu schauen, in welchen es diese nicht gibt. Viele Leute glauben, es käme hier drauf an, schnell und zügig auf ein sich näherndes Einsatzfahrzeug zu reagieren, und ja, dahingehend gibt es ja auch Gesetze, das wäre vollkommen richtig. Dass das hier aber vollkommen unabhängig davon ist, ob überhaupt ein Einsatzfahrzeug kommt, und dass die Rettungsgasse auf Grund des Staus bereits lange vor einem eventuell kommenden Einsatzfahrzeug bereits gebildet sein muss, das wissen die natürlich nicht
When you start learning how to drive, you will learn to stop for fire trucks, ambulances and police cars alongside how to park and change lane at least in Denmark
In Poland, we call it the "corridor of life." We use CB Radio and even jammers for regular radio - in case someone through the music can't hear the signal.
wow... jammer thats great and drastic but like so many said: its just sad, that so many people are too selfish to pull over or move at all. heartbreaking example of humanity those days- sadly. But not all hope is lost- I still belive in peoples hearts!
I'm actually shocked/surprised to hear that it seems so unusual in America to make what we call "Rettungsgasse" in Germany, which is actually also mandatory here. Actually you can get some sort of punishment even if you don't drive to the side to let the ambulance through
Here in Portugal also! You can go to jail, if you don't facilitate the path for an ambulance. But I think the american author was suspicious of the german cars allready pulled over to each side, before they could see the ambulance lights in the rearview mirror. Is there a german explanation? Because in a portuguese three lane motorway, the drivers stopped after an accident, would remain in each lane, untill an ambulance arrived. They would not guess the lane where the ambulance would come. (Normally the ambulance comes from the unusable/reserved 4th lane on the right, i.e. "roadside"). Is there some sort of protocol for assigning ambulance lane in germany?
@@zedaadega7420 Yes there ist a rule/protocol in Germany for a three lane motorway ( and 4th motorway and so on). when three lanes or more you have to form the pass between the last left line and the middle. as the video shows right from the beginning. hope this explains it..
Well, this is what happens when people pretend CZcams videos where "anything to get clicks" are reliable sources of information. The uploader knows Europeans will flock like zombies to the sound of gunfire to any video about the USA, so he caters to that crowd and then laughs at them (all the way to the bank) as they fall all over each other to be the first one to demonstrate how ignorant they are. I'm sorry, but everybody everywhere moves over for emergency vehicles.... even in big bad America. Disappointing, I know, but that's the way it is.
@@zedaadega7420 yes, there is a protocol! If the traffic is going really slow (we call it "Schrittgeschwindigkeit"... under 10km/h), you have to make room for ambulance and emergency vehicles. Therefor all cars on the left lane has to drive as far left as possible. All cars on the right lanes (no matter how many lanes on right are) have to drive as far right as possible, but not on the right space which has the ongoing white line, this is the space for car-break-downs only! if you're not doing so, it is possible to pay a fine up to 320€ and loose your license for a Month.
There is the duty by law for forming a rescue lane ("Rettungsgasse"), when there is a traffic jam on the motorway. When there are 3 lines, the left ones go to the left side, the cars on the "two right" sides go right.
I had a massive cerebral hemorrhage in 1998 and was already on artificial ventilation. We have a city highway in Berlin - Germany and the journey was via this, and the emergency doctor said the emergency lane worked perfectly. That was the only thing that saved my life. I am horrified by what is happening in other countries, including the USA
Austrian here. This also happens in Austria and pretty much all over Europe, as it is common traffic law and is thought in driving school. it is called "Rettungsgasse" or "saving ally" and is mandatory on the motorway as well on the highway and inner city
Not in the city. Ln Austria the "Rettungsgasse" is mandatory only an motorways and Highways. And it has to be formed automatically in the event of a traffic jam. Besides, it still doesn't work very well.
@@IcemanVienna97 Oh stimmt Wien gehört ja auch zu Österreich 🙂 Spaß. Ich muss auch zugeben das ich viel Richtung Graz, Innsbruck. Saalbach unterwegs war und das in der Nebensaison weil ich in den Hotels die Software installiert habe. Wien hin und wieder mal aufm Rückweg. Geile Stadt, besonders im Sommer am Donaukanal.
My husband had a heart attack and I had to sit next to the driver of the ambulance. Such a strange experience. All cars let you go through. But also scaring. Lucky my man was at the hospital in time. Greetings from The Netherlands.
Rettungsgasse! In Germany you won't get a driving license if you don't know that you have to form an emergency lane (Rettungsgasse) if there is an accident. There are videos on how to form them and almost all Germans follow them. And I love it!!!
I’m checking for which way the emergency vehicle is coming as soon as I hear the siren, ready to be well out the way if needed! The only way to view emergency vehicles is - it could be your family, your home, your friends that are in need of emergency assistance! I’m in the U.K. Indeed on one occasion I witnessed a driver who point blank refused to move out the way in stationary traffic, refused to even make eye contact with the ambulance crew, two other men got out their cars, one dragged the driver out the other moved the car out the way - both got a thumbs up from the paramedic team!
As a European I’m shocked that you’re shocked, I’ve always thought this was just the normal thing to do and that everyone did it always!
Same,, I thought it was even a must in Europe.
me too XD thought its normal! there is a life depending on it..
It wasn't always common in Germany, this was made a law in 2016 only and there was a pretty big public campaign about the "Rettungsgasse" ("emergency lane" would be a decent translation). It's taught in driving school since then as well. It's supposed to the between the leftmost and second leftmost lane, and you're supposed to create it whenever there is a traffic jam, even when no emergency vehicles are in sight. Ideally before traffic fully stops, since moving after it stops is not always possible. It mostly works these days from my experience, most of the time when traffic stops, people start to create the emergency lane.
The same in Belgium !
@@gooseberristic it is a must in Europe. you can get a fine if you you don't follow the rules and get out of the way.
I’m shocked that you’re shocked Joel. This is normal behaviour here in the U.K. and, I imagine, most of the western world - other than the US it seems.🙁
We don't come to a complete stop on a motorway though. That looks more dangerous than just moving to the inside lane
I think the biggest difference between Germany and UK is that in Germany, they anticipate that an emergency vehicle might need to go through the stopped traffic, but here in UK, they stay in the middle of the lane, until they hear the siren
And in Japan, needless to say.
I agree. Not moving over like this is dumb and evil.
@@BigBadLoneWolf Sitting in the middle lane is now illegal in the UK.
As a Belgian, I can share this is exactly what happened to me when my wife's water broke at home and I realized there's a huge traffic jam along to the hospital. So I rang an Ambulance, they were at my place within 5min. The emergency staff insisted to sit in front of the ambulance as I was in no state to drive myself.
The highway was completely jammed, ambulance went in full-fledged sirene mode and it was really like Moses split the sea. The 2 lane highway split left and right so we could drive in the middle, we passed 1000s of standing vehicles and there were 0 exceptions. The lane was split well far in front of us, people automatically start splitting when they see others doing in their mirror, not always needing to hear sirens first necessarily. If I didnt rang the ambulance it would have taken me easily +1hr to get to the hospital, now it took us 10mins. I'll never forget that splitting scenery in front of me and how I felt grateful to all these drivers in the moment.
You learn this in the first aid course, never transport the patient in a private car. First aid, call the emergency doctor, 112. Because what do you want to do if the patient finally collapses in the car?
There are some good videos where the ambulance is accompanied by 2 or 3 police motorcycles in urgent cases. That's when things really get going. . .
@@derniederrheiner4518 While true in theory, I can tell you that somtimes the emergency services take so long to arrive that you're more likely to live being transported in a private car.
@@stryker1797 I don't know how long the ambulance will take in your area and for minor injuries it might be no problem in a private car. But in Germany, the ambulance service shouldn't take much longer than 8 minutes. And then they work on the patient. So they don't just race to the hospital as quickly as possible.
If you have someone in the car who could collapse, it will be difficult if you're standing somewhere you don't know or simply can't stop. What's more, you can't drive your car to the emergency entrance at the hospital. All this with someone for whom every minute counts. . .
Je suis Belge et en Belgique tout le monde s'écarte et s'arrête pour laisser passer les ambulances et les pompiers, c'est normal et obligatoire par la loi
At the moment that traffic stoped, drivers know what they should do...
I'm shocked! In Europe this is normal that we make way for the ambulances to get through. I'm in Ireland 🇮🇪 Same for the fire brigade.
If you are driving as you should you can see the blue lights and hear the siren, here in Europe we move over. I can only think the car that took time to move over, was driven by someone who is deaf or they weren’t looking in their mirror, or they were American?
Austria too...
Yeah, I remember waiting at a bus stop and I saw a fire truck. It looked like some invisible force was splitting the traffic lmao
It's a law and it's taught in driving school. You have to form a free lane when the traffic slows down, be prepared even before you here a siren.
Not to mention, the faster the helpers get to the accident, save lives, clear the street, the faster the traffic jam is released.
In UK we all move to left even if multiple lanes I think so they get the proper lane aka the fast overtake lane
@@mlee6050That really confused me until I realised that you brits all drive on the wrong side of the road
@@IchhabezuvielCZcamsgegucktO_o
no, we, the countries who drive on the left side,
we are the right ones .
the rest of you is wrong 😅😅
@@DemosIoannou I strongly disagree. It's obvious that the right side is the right side. It's even implied in the term right side of the road ☝🏻
@@IchhabezuvielCZcamsgegucktO_o I do prefer US on inside or outside, we both say inside as left of the vehicle but to me inside should mean the centre of the road
I'm from Poland and the most shocking thing for me is that for you it's shocking. It seems so normal to me that it didn't even think that in some other country someone might not create a 'emergency corridor' for an ambulance. it's pretty sad
I am german who drives through Poland to Baltic states. You have actually a lot selfish drivers . I remember 1 time when there wasn’t corridor and when it was there, some drivers were using it for themselves. Even Lithuanians act better.
@@EB-op9ywThose people who use the corridor of life or do not do it violate the highway code. Karma will reach them one day
@@EB-op9yw You're right, drivers in Poland are very selfish, but I've never seen someone refuse to give way to an ambulance. It's awfully sad what you say you saw. Some people shouldn't have a license at all.
in germany, you dont use the rettungsgasse... you use the standstreifen!
@@thezodiak6666until some evil person prevents you from it :)
In Belgium (and I'm sure in a lot of coutries) you _have_ to create a rescue lane as soon as you get in a trafic jam.
1) Once you're standing still it's hard to move to the left or right.
2) The trafic jam may be caused by an accident, and an ambulance may be on its way.
Don't wait until you hear the siren.
In normal trafic the ambulance will always use the leftmost/fast lane.
In Germany the cars in the left lane stay there and all others go to the right. Simple rule, easy to follow.
@@Nekomancer1983 I once was in a trafic jam as an accident had happened at Hockenheim, and cars had to fan left _and_ right to let the fire engines pass. (Fire engines are much wider than ambulances.)
Same here in Poland: left line goes to the left, others go to the right. And in Poland it is called "a corridor of life". And it is an obligation to make a free way for an emergency vehicles.
I've never heard of this (UK) interesting. What I don't get tho is that this road already has an emergency lane, so why make this extra one (blocking the emergency lane! 🤷)
@@rayaqueen9657i guess because the "Standstreifen" on the right side might by blocked by vehicles and it is sometimes interrupted. In this case theres no way through and too late to free an other way in the traffic jam.
The knowledge that taking 2 minutes out of your day to slow down and move to the side could save someone's life is all of the reason any decent human being needs to do this. The action may seem small in isolation, but every one of these drivers contributed to potentially saving someone's life.
This is normal in almost countries in Europe. I am honestly shocked that you are shocked. At least you are trying to learn, big kudos to you man!
same
Same here. I even supposed this was normal in every country in the world. Silly me...
Well when i lived in the US, many people did make conscious effort to move out of the way. However i doubt they get taught this while taking their licenses and it's more of a personal/local initiative. Seem to also vary a lot depending on state, also whether it's rural or urban areas, when i lived in Ohio most people let ambulances trough, but I didn't notice the same amount of courtesy in Pennsylvania...
It's kind of interesting in a way that when you drove from Cleveland on the interstate 80 you could notice a immediate difference in drivers behavior once you transferred over to interstate 76 towards Pittsburgh. Here in Europe it's not as much of a difference, even if there's some.
Delaware USA we all pull to the right on highways.2 lane roads both directions pull over. Whole east coast really
Teenagers get taught that when they start driving. That's why everyone that does pull over; pulls over on the right. That's what they're supposed to do.
Small clarification: they're not doing that because of the siren. It would already be too late if they waited for the siren. You have to move right and left as soon as traffic gets super slow or stops, because you don't know if an ambulance might be needed. Because there's no way to do this once everyone is stopped. You can also get fined if you fail to do this. They've also been pushing this recently, I don't think it was that much of a default a few years ago. makes sense, and I like it!
weirdest thing is the statements of the Europeans here, they all are like "im shocked that youre shocked and this should be normal reee" ... as if this was the norm 20 years ago, because it wasnt, i even think this system was implemented only within the last decade or am i wrong?
The idea for the " Rettungsgasse" came from Karl-Heinz Kalow in 1967.
It was made a law in the StVO in March 1971. Since than everyone who gets his driver's license learns this princip by heart. When you are approaching a traffic jam make sure you leave room for an ambulance, police or the fire trucks.
@@Chris_KAy The rule itself exists since a pretty long time. It only has become more public during the past few years, by campaigns of media, the ADAC and others as well as by increased fines and other punishments for those who fail to do so. Furthermore, since 1970 traffic has become significantly more, and consequently there are more traffic jams and also more accidents or other emergencies, so the rule to form such an emergency lane has become more and more important over the years.
I made my driving license in Germany in 2004 and they teached it.
@@Chris_KAy Yes, you are wrong.
One big reason for all this is that getting a drivers' license in Germany is actually pretty hard comparatively. You need to do a first aid course and at least like 20 hours of theory courses in driving school plus at least 12 hours of practical training with a driving teacher in the passenger seat (this including 3 hours of nighttime and 4 hours of Autobahn driving) to be even allowed to take the actual state exam. Which includes both theoretical testing and a ~2-3 hours practical test with a state examiner on the passenger seat. And both of these aren't easy.
And so goddamn expensive
2-3 hours for the road test is blowing my mind. I live in the US and in a state that's considered one fo the hardest to get a license in. And I've never heard of a test going longer than 45 minutes. Usually closer to 30.
@@millahnna The road test also generally includes a stretch of driving on the Autobahn and some segments of parking and narrow road driving in built-up neighbourhoods. They want new drivers to really know what they're doing.
Very similar in Luxembourg, except that instead of the first aid course you have to make an additional driver safety course 6 months to two years in, at which you get to encounter extreme situations ((water-)obstacle courses, driving on iced roads, elk tests, getting the car straightened after losing control...) and have to react to them accordingly. Until that point your driving licence is actually just on probation, and only after that driver safety training will you have a "full" driver's license.
@@steveweidig5373 I really wish we did the extreme situation training you're talking about here in the states. THe biggest reason I've waited so long to finally get my driver's license (I'm nearly 50 and have never had it) is because of how many bad drivers I see just out and about. Maybe if more of them had that kind of training, it wouldn't be so bad here.
In Austria, in the event of a traffic jam, a "rescue lane" must be automatically formed regardless of accidents, etc.
The key in having a good rescue lane (called "Rettungsgasse" in german) is, that cars don't start to make space when the rescue forces are approaching, BUT already when you see, that the traffic starts to slow down and you know you will come to a stop soon. THIS is the point when you should apply this rule, so when the rescue vehicles are approaching, all cars have already made the lane free.
So true!
Exactly! Stau? Rettungsgasse! Translated to: traffic jam? Rescue lane!
This is the comment I was looking for.
A tip I've learned after an ambulance was having trouble to get through the Rettungsgasse because a van didn't pull completely to the side: if it's a stop and go, or complete stop traffic jam, I'll make sure to have enough space in front of me to be able to move even further to the side if need be. Like almost touching the barriers kinda close, which would be impractical in a stop and go. And then obviously, checking the side mirror if anything is coming your way.
Yep and there is also a fine if you not following that rule
I'm a paramedic in Germany, most of the time, this is what happens, although there is always that one driver who screws up. The reason why drivers this far away move to the side, is because they hear the horn (most ambulance and all fire trucks also have a much louder air compressed horn, besides the normal electronic horn). Even this far away, when drivers hear it and look in the back mirror, and see people make space, they know what's up.
actually electric sirens are heard from further away in these conditions, especially as many pneumatic sirens are either poorly maintained or poorly mounted, or both of those aspects.
Es liegt eher an der Rettungsgasse. Egal ob man ein Krankenwagen hört oder nicht es wird bei Stau sofort eine gebildet.
If the Rettungsgasse is porperly done, there is no need for an amublance, Firetruck or any other Blaulichtorganisation to be heared - The Rettungsgasse simply will be done at the beginning of the Stau and in many cases the good old Herdentrieb lead to the situation as shown in the video - a propper Rettungsgasse. Yes there are exceptions when it wont work, there are exceptions with people who dont know or dont care how it worked but for most of the time (in my opinion and experience) if a few people start most time it spreads from the end to the beginning
That one driver is probably a tourist from America.
@@fransthefox9682 Nah, such Vollpfosten exist in every country and there are even people trying to be Oberschlau and use the Rettungsgasse for themself
The emergency corridor is required to form like this (at least here in Austria, but I guess it is pretty similar to other states in the EU): Left lane goes left, all the others go right. And it should already happen when traffic is moving slow (like below ~20 km/h). When you are moving slow, you can still maneuvre but you can drive much closer to the side of the road antd to other vehicles. The only tricky spots are exits, but usually it works there, too.
In Italy it is the same. We are taught in driving schools to give way to any emergency vehicle. Usually there is a lane on every motorway designed for emergency vehicles. If any one is caught using the emergency lane he may have his licence suspended on the spot.
In Poland it's called "the life corridor" (direct translation) and it's required by law to do that. If the video from ambulance will be forwarded to police (and often it is), the owner of car/motorbike/etc. that didn't leave space for privilaged vehicle to go will get a ticket (not a little one too).
It's freakin sad that this is not the norm worldwide and anyone is shocked by it.
This should be enforced by police here in the states
@@thefirebirdflock3440 They would rather shoot a unarmed black guy in the back.
@@thefirebirdflock3440 just have people take proper driving lessons. The stories I heard from some exchange students who got their driver's licenses in the states (because way cheaper and takes way less time) are wild.
In Germany you get a few dozen hours of theory at least, practical driving lessons (day, night, inside the city, outside cities, Autobahn), an official written test, and a practical exam done by a professional examiner.
@@Nico6th They can't. For US citizen driving is essential for living. They had to find a solution that is not too expensive but also teach drivers HOW to drive. It wont be easy.
It's the law in Australia as well but a scary amount of people don't do it. Actually we're supposed to move to the left, I'm not sure how it's supposed to be on a freeway but I'd hope it goes like this.
In Germany, this is called "Rettungsgasse" which means "rescue alley". If you are on the highway (or any other major road with barriers/etc in the middle) and there is a traffic jam, you have to form this alley. If you block emergency services you can actually get a pretty big fine in some cases. The alley is always between the inner most lane and the one right next to it. The rules are different in every country in Europe, but I do not know one that doesnn't have similar rules in place.
It's not just the fine sometimes, saw a firetruck scratch a cars side and take the mirror of causs they wouldn't move over.
So basically if you don't move they move you and i love that
you can get scrwed hard if the patient dies because you were the unmoving obstacle then you will get chaged with 2nd degree manslaughter
@@Taro_liam If fire trucks are blocked by cars in cities and can't go through, they'll tow the cars out of the way and impound them
@@ncredibledark7926 Yes and no. Firetrucks are completely free to just ram your car out of the way, in order to save lives or prevent larger damages. If you parked correctly you get your car repaired/money from some insurance. If you parked illegally, tough luck
@@godmode8687 Korrekt. Ich habe in Shanghai mal gesehen wie ein abbiegendes Feuerwehrfahrzeug mit Sondersignal ein Taxi volle Möhre gerammt und über die Halbe Kreuzung geschoben hat ohne auch nur zu verzögern. Die Polizei am Ende des Feuerwehrkonvois stoppte dann. Der Fahrer tat mir fast ein bisschen leid.
Seeing this, I have an immense respect for the drivers of ambulance cars. It must be extremely stressful to get to where they are needed. And all we have to do is just GET OUT OF THE F*** WAY!
Jürgen! Zündung!
Here in Cuba, we used to have these Advanced Life Support Ambulances. These vehicles had a very distintive siren. Whenever you hear that piercing, desperate sound, every traffic, even on foot, came to a full stop. Cars piled to the right lane, even jumping to the sidewalk, and a wide corridor opened to the ambulance to go thru, making perhaps 60 - 80 mph on a busy, but now still, street.
In Germany, this is called a "Rettungsgasse" rescue lane. You are taught this in driving school. Cars make room not only on the highway, but also on all other roads. At intersections, everyone stops, regardless of whether the traffic light is green. That is why it is not allowed to have the music too loud, so that you can hear the sirens in case of emergency.
At this moment even red lights are non existent.
It’s interesting that they are doing it wrong here. Only left lane goes left and all other lanes go right (but somehow it is still working).
I'm not surprised the drivers pulled over, but it was odd to see cars already stopped at the side kilometers ahead of the ambulance where they couldn't possibly have seen or heard it. May they have an pp or something that alerts them?
@@scottsimon1It’s the law. When you see cars behind you pull to the side you have to aswell. Also when we are in traffic it is required to build this lane no matter if there’s an emergency. In traffic we always have to build a rescue lane and you can hear the horn miles away, it’s super loud.
@@scottsimon1 I thought maybe the police stopped the cars there. Because some stupid people take photos of the accident and even of the victims.
Oh It's real. Germans are well organized and in Poland and EU we do the same. In Poland it's called "life corridor" and you're obligated by law to do it.
Same law in Germany.
Same in all the Nordic countries, too.
Und selbst das Lasst ihr Polen euch von der EU bezahlen 😂😂😂
@@mrmiezmiez765Hitler paid for yours 😂
Entspann dich mal ,du Brötchen. Wir lassen uns auch einiges von der EU bezahlen, dafür ist die da. Unser Staat wär' verschuldet wenn wirklich mal das *nötige* Geld in Umwelt- und Klimaschutz fließen würde.@@mrmiezmiez765
That's really how it is here in Germany. We grow up with it from generation to generation. If an ambulance comes, make room. It can be a matter of minutes or even seconds and a person dies. Of course, there are sometimes people who react very late, but that's generally how it works here. As soon as a German hears the siren, he immediately looks in the rearview mirror and turns off the radio to better hear where the ambulance is coming from. PS: Sorry. My english is not perfect. XD
Your English is great. I wish I could move to europe.
I like your videos! I am from Germany and to be honest, it feels good when you comment things about our country with respect. This is really nice from you. As a matter of fact there is no need to see or hear the ambulance here, because you are supposed to start preparing the rescue lane as soon as the traffic jam begins. There are also signs on the Autobahn which show, which lane should be held free. It is always the lane between the left lane and the middle lane. So, yes! It is nice for me to watch when things work out well. Thank you for your video!
Hi Joel,
the reason why there is a "rescue alley" as far as the eye can see, is because we learn from the beginning, that when it comes to a traffic jam, all cars have to move to the side to form that "alley". Whether there comes an emergancy car or not. So if there comes one, the "alley" is already there. Its a big advantage and it does save lifes.
Furthermore, the "rescue alley" was recently added to german road laws with instructions who goes where. The cars in the leftmost lane have to go as far left as they savely can and the cars in the remaining lanes have to go as far right as they savely can, as soon as they approach very slow traffic from behind. Of course I experienced "that one idiot" myself who, when talked to, said "IF police or an ambulance comes from behind, I'll move over". That argument is stupid. In a traffic jam you usually don't have enough space to move over. Unless you drive some tiny car like a smart, VW Lupo, Audi A1 or something alike.
Exactly and you can be fined in the Czech Republic, if you ignore doing rescue alley.
@@harrysoumen6122 exactly as a person from this country 💪🏿💪🏿it is reasonable and u mast be monkey to do not have that idea 😂
That's really clever! We do our best to get out of the way in Sweden, but we don't have anything like this. I really prefer this type of behaviour on the roads. Of course we don't have as much traffic as many other countries, but when it's a lot for our roads, it really is a lot!
@@ErknarThis wasn't recently added, the obligation to form an emergency lane and how exactly to do it (always between the leftmost lane and the right next one) has existed for decades.
That thing (called a "rescue lane") is required by law in most of Europe. I've been transported by an ambulance twice in the past 2 years, and after these guys did their best to save my life, making space for them every time I hear the siren to enable them to do their best once again is the least I can do.
Ive been in an ambulance once, nothing dramatic so no horns or lights but when I'm in my personal vehicle I ALWAYS stop and let them drive by, thinking: If thats me one day or even a family member/friend, I'd expect other people to do the same - you do not fucking play with other peoples lifes, simple as that.
Ive been in several 'rescue lanes' and nobody fucked it up once as far as I could tell, those are the social conventions I really appreciate.
Our paramedics, fire- and policemen, doctors and nurses etc. do a wonderful job and we'd be so fucked up without them.
bless you!
In Poland the law was passed few years ago -- its called more dramatically "the corridor of life" - but a normal thing - you just do it.
@@balcerzaqI'm from Poland as well, I showed this to my dad and yeah. The law is surprisingly new, but everyone did it regardless because, for me at least this is a basic human reaction. It's going there to save a life, every second matters
@@Max-dv1kqi have been multiple times in the ambulance for my kids, and i also do this indeed. Even when i was in labour at 26 weeks pregnant, there was no horn and we had to drive 1,5 hour to the next hospital ( there was not much place in the hospital for prematur babies) it was very stressful
When I was learning to drive in Poland, I was taught to listen to the direction the siren is coming from and take appropriate action, but in general everybody knows about it anyway, because they've seen their parents do it a hundred times. You're allowed to break certain rules of the road while making space for the emergency services. The name we have for this communal traffic manouver translates to "the life corridor" or "corridor of life". Over many newer roads there are also billboards and LCDs reminding people to do the right thing.
PS. Wanted to add: I had the chance to experience this from the other side when my daughter had a very bad pneumonia. I also learned that day that even though people move aside, driving an ambulance through heavy traffic and red lights is still a horrendously chaotic experience. Our driver was truly exceptional.
In my country (northern europe) there is a law that you must stop at the side when you hear ambulance or police sirens
In the UK, if you hear a siren (doesn't matter whether it is police, ambulance or fire), you and pretty much everyone in the car start trying to figure out if it is behind you and coming towards you or in another direction. And if it is coming towards you, you start figuring out how to get out of the damn way. It's called Common Decency, because it could easily be someone you know whose live depends on those precious few minutes.
We are pretty good at that aren’t we 👍🥰
Is empathy, compassion and fellow human only empty words for US society?
I am Swedish and we keep away when when we hear this sound.
Lived in Turkey many years and they do the same.
Also in Denmark, Norway and UK I see the same behavia.
It seems like an US problem to me.
@@piyahdemir4446 Is empathy, compassion and fellow human only empty words for US society?
worse .. it's socialism 🤑
I'm from Spain (where is exactly the same) live in Germany nowadays an traveled a lot through Europe and I think its exactly the same in every other country of the continent. Actually, for sure in every EU country cause as you know the driving licese is standardized and is not an option. We learn that at the driving school.
I'm american and this is exactly what I personally do, tbf many Americans will also do that, but sadly there's that other half who will not give anyone space so they can get out of the way of the emergency vehicle.
Y'alls etiquette is something I feel comes standard package for 99% of humans but someones culture can beat it out of them.....sadly seems to be the route america has taken 😢
Of course you have to know what to do.
But the most important part is the attitude. My father only had to tell me once: Whenever you meet an ambulance, act as though they're transporting someone you love. For all you know, they may be.
I think there should be ads with that exact message.
How true, that's what crossed my mind when he complained about the selfishness of the US drivers.. "and if it was me? one from my family?
@@faysalkus1083 An ad isn´t your Father. Corporations and Goverment are no Family that educates
The behaviour you see there is a rule in Germany. It is called building a rescue lane and that means whenever an emergency vehicle is coming from behind, the left lane drives to the most left border and the other two lanes devide to the right side actually using the hard shoulder (splitting the sea of cars for the emergency service between the left and the middle lane). The emergency services usually won't use the hard shoulder because there may be obstacles like broken cars blocking the way.
There's a short on youtube showing drivers getting out of their cars to move traffic cones off the closed side of the road due to be worked on so an ambulance can get by. I must admit it made me cry.
Spent some time in west Germany when I was in the military in the early to mid 80’s. Learned all the rules of the road and obtained a driver’s license. Came back to the states and realized that here, we view driving as a right, not a privilege. Really enjoyed my time there and especially enjoyed traveling by car.
Well said
OK - we also see it as a right.. or many of us..
"No speed limit on geman Autobahn ! free driving for free citicens !"
but with rights come duties..
and we take this licensing quite serious..
I also liked driving in the US ..
These signs: "Uses your setbelt. Its the law" - (or other signs with "Its the law" .. great..)
And - perhaps I did not knew every exact rule - but I took a pickup truck from the rent-a-car,
so I had the feeling, other drivers took care of me (or their car.. perhaps.. ;))
..and I was a little bit confused by special-lanes..
@@TFHanisch1978 And there is the difference. It’s extremely easy to get a license here in the states. Take a written test and a short test drive and that’s it. Not nearly the same as it is in Germany. Here in Texas, drivers Ed is a requirement to obtain your 1st license, however, a parent can sign documents stating that they have taught the child the required rules and that is it. So, a lot of people get their license without having much training or experience.
Biggest problem in USA is that it's not just seen as a right, it's actually a necessity. The lobbyist of the car companies did a good job in the sixties, selling the car as the American dream. So much so that there is now no viable alternative anymore.
The Not Just Bikes youtube channel has more in-depth explanations on this
@@Radbod-1die StVO ist nicht schwer zu lernen. Was redest du?
As someone who grew up in the EU I assumed giving way to ambulance and police was a universal thing. I had no idea this was not the case in the USA
It actually IS the case in the U.S., Americans are just often not very good at it. Getting your driver's license in the the States is a much abbreviated affair compared to the lengthy and comprehensive process it is in most, or all, of Europe. Americans, therefore, have a less robust knowledge of traffic rules, and driving discipline is not nearly as well instilled, sadly.
yea americans dont give a shite for those in dire situations(if they dont move out of the way)
And still we're looking up to the Americans... Why though?
Traffic does give way to emergency vehicles in the states. Your statement is incorrect. It just doesn't part down the middle...
I do think this young man has slightly exaggerated the degree to which this is a problem in the U.S., though I have seen instances where drivers neglect to pull over. But it’s the law pretty much universally (I believe all 50 states have some version of a regulation that you must pull over - generally to the right - on the books, and you may be ticketed and fined for failing to do so, but in an emergency, the police are usually involved with handling the emergency, not ticketing drivers who didn’t move.
Brazilian here. We also have this, and we also call it "corredor de emergência" (emergency corridor). Not only for ambulance, but all emergency vehicles... as I could see all comments here, it is a global behavior (at least almost global...)
You can hear the sirene from way away. Same reaction in France, the UK, Switzerland, actually, everywhere I have lived in Europe. This is real.
I'm Irish, and this is how we generally act as well with regards to sirens, no matter what emergency service is involved. We'll pull over like that for the fire brigade, the cops, or an ambulance. The idea that Americans find this so remarkable is worrying.
When I use to visit Dublin quite often I found it amazing that on the street when a ambulance went by you could look around and everyone was making the sign of the cross. Even if your not religious if I was in that ambulance I would want those good vibes coming my way. I agree with what everyone is saying here in Australia everyone gets out the way for a siren but Ireland goes that step further. It's the only country I have seen that in. I was there in the late 90s don't know if this still happens.
@Mick Norman Probably not, the population is less devout RC now.
@@audience2 Some are devout woke now.
Just this dude and maybe some of his age group. Where I grew up there was absolute respect for sirens and everyone merged right/left to give them a lane. I don't what's been happening in the U.S. lately but if this kid's reaction is the norm then it's just another sign that people simply DGAF anymore in that country.
We don't, it's must be very rare for Americans to not move for emergency services, considering I've lived in America for 18 years and I still haven't seen someone not move to the side.
In germany we call this "Rettungsgasse" (emergency lane)
We learn this in the driving school and are also obliged to do this, if you do not do this you can get a penalty. Also, radio stations always say that you should form a lane. It is often seen that, as soon as it jams, the vehicles already drive further outside. Actually, with 3 lanes, the left should go to the left and the middle and the right further to the right, so that in the middle of the emergency lane is formed.
Yes the title of the original video is misleading.
Germans don't react like this to ambulance sounds.
We react like this to heavy traffic.
@@whattheflyingfuck... mostly haha sadly there are also some people who dont react like this
It's a law in the StVO to form the Rettungsgase.
No problem if you run out of gas. Then you can stop in the middle.
@@edonveil9887
This is forbidden in Germany on the autobahn.
The legislator assumes that every driver must be able to read a fuel gauge and therefore fill up in good time before the fuel runs out.
Yes, it is like this in any part of Germany. In cities too. You really won't find such a culture in driving, parking, walking down the street... anywhere else. Respect .
During my studies in Austria, whenever there was a traffic jam on Autobahn even without hearing a siren or something, there was always an emergency corridor (if 3 lanes, left gets closer to the side and 2 rights ones shift further to the right), which was awesome to see.
The fact that you're shocked surprises me 😂 I'm French and we don't have a reputation for discipline, but when there's an ambulance, even in cities, and it drives between cars in the middle of the road to avoid traffic jams, everyone does their best to get on the side and clear the way for it to pass. It's just basic common sense and civil responsibility.
I remember being an idiot in Paris as a kid, at the Arc D'Triomphe roundabout, 9 lanes isn't it, or 7. I tried to cross it as a pedestrian not realising they have a subway haha, never been so beeped at in my life. Lived to tell the tale anyway. French are crazy drivers, but I fit right in, being half french ancestory and having a heavy right foot. Vivre la France ❤ love it there.
@@zed4225 Crossing Place de l'étoile on foot ! Oh God ! Even some non parisian drivers are scared to ride on this myhtical roundabout :-D
if we italians can do this then everibody can
Civil responsibility - doesn't exist in the USA! There it is me,me,me!
@@valsyaranamual6853 And additionally discipline in traffic doesn't exist. It's too easy to get a driver's license in the USA.
The fact that you're so stunned at this as an American is telling about the American driving culture, and perhaps the broader American culture.
Yeah. I'm not too fond of generalisations, but it seems like everyone in the USA is out for themselves. In Europe, we have more of a community culture.
Thing is, us Americans make the emergency corridor all the time as it is literally required to do and you can be pulled over if you dont
@@adamkemper4708 Exactly! I'm like, "I grew up seeing my parents and the other drivers make way by pulling over to the side to let the first responders pass by!". In fact, when I don't see that happen, I assume it's a foreigner who doesn't know our laws!
I'm from Texas, we don't do that. We move out of the way. Don't let one American tell you how the WHOLE country is....
Wait until he finds out its a free service.
Yo estoy impresionada que esté tan impresionado de esto. Aquí en Suiza 🇨🇭 hacemos lo mismo, recuerda puedes ser tu el que necesite ayuda la próxima vez, eso es todo y ya sabes como reaccionar y esto no es solo en autopistas, esto es en pueblo, ciudades, los coches se suben a los bordillos para dejar pasar, sea a policía, a ambulancias, a bomberos. Cuídense 😊
This happens in Sweden as well, but not always as orderly.
I used to travel from Sweden to Spain via the highways of Denmark, Germany and France, and the German driving etiquette is top notch!
I have seen this happen many times and it still amazes me.
The answer to your question on how people so far ahead can see and react to the first responders is manifold.
First, there is a question of how the highways are built.
They are broad and straight and the trees and bushes are far away from the roads to enable better view, which gives the drivers a clearer field of rear vision.
Secondly, since the style of driving is very uniform, the drivers can gauge the situation behind them by how the drivers react.
The cars in front see cars behind them move to the sides, sometimes long before they even see the first responders.
The drivers know what this means and automatically acts to aid, and it spreads forward so that more and more people move out of the way.
It is really beautiful to see a massive stream of cars and trucks just fan away from the center lane to allow the first responders to get a clear path.
There is a third reason for this behavior, and that is the German sense of order.
Germans in general are very orderly in everything they do and they respect authority and rules.
I have never been to the States, but I think the behaviour in traffic is ingrained in the culture of extreme individualism.
As seen in many videos from the States, people like the so called "Karens" behave in a very entitled way, and I think this stems from the way Americans are breastfed with the culture of superiority and sovereignty over other countries, that America is the best, no matters what.
The sense of extreme individualism is evident in so many videos I've seen.
I am glad that you (the maker of this video) seem to exhibit more solidarity.
I'm in UK and a few years ago my dad had a cardiac arrest I rode in the ambulance with him and could see out the wind screen it was like water parting. This is just human decency.
Poland here - in our country its called "Life corridor" - it is taught also in driving school. If this happens in the city center, cars will enter the intersection just to give room for other cars behind them to go out of the way of an ambulance - every second matters.
In germany its called "Rettungsgasse" roughtly translates to emergency responders corridor
Yes, I believe it now applies throughout the EU. In Germany, the rule applies that when an emergency vehicle approaches on the Autobahn (Highway), a rescue strip (Rettungsgasse) must be formed. On dual carriageways, everyone in the right lane drives to the right shoulder and everyone in the left lane drives to the left edge of the lane before stopping. On a three-lane freeway, everyone in the center and right lanes pulls to the right and everyone in the left lane pulls to the left edge, freeing the center lane for emergency vehicles.matters. On normal roads with oncoming traffic, everyone drives as far as possible to the right edge of the lane and stops.
Rescue corridor 😆😉
@@callsigndd9ls897no, whenever traffic slows down it has to be formed. When you only do it when the emergency vehicle arrives, it takes far longer for the vehicle to pass
@@jan-lukas correct
In Poland it is called the corridor of life. All drivers give way not only to ambulances but to anyone driving with signals. We do this not only on the highway but also in cities.
Yes, we do that also here in Britain, it’s respect, we have sirens going by our house a few times a day with a hospital 10 minutes or so away from us, we are on a main road, and yes vehicles pull to the left to let the emergency vehicles get through, as I see often from our window. 🏴🇬🇧
Hi Joel, it's even an European rule to create a safetylane in case of a traffic jam.... so it's not only in Germany...
yeah but it was first invented and practiced in germany then brought to the European parliament which in the end demanded it for whole europe
@@balavan.z938not in italy, we have a special lane for emergency vehicles.
The same law applies in the US. You can get a fine if you refuse to pullover for any emergency vehicle.
@@scottsimon1a fine? In Poland we charge people with attempted murder if they block emergency vehicles.
@bohomazdesign725 you can do time if you activly impeade an emergancy service on blues.
JP, what shocked me most was your very own reaction to something so natural and normal (in my country anyway and prob. all european countries).
What else is one supposed to do?
Someones life is at great risk, yes, you pull over to the side, clearing the way for the Ambulance, as every second counts!
They need to save someones life, it's more than etiquette, it's our moral duty, and we too can feel that maybe we also helped to save someones life, by our actions.
I am wondering where Joel lives. What state. A big city? All that makes a big difference in driving behavior. Tennessee is the best. People even stop cars and get out to pay respect when a funeral cortege is passing.
It's more than etiquette, it's like the fire alarm drill- everybody has to know, what the other people will do, so he can react correct and clear the way. If it is repeated, what you should do (especially with three lanes), it gets in everybody's heads and you do it right, when the situation comes.
Well, its like that even in the most terrible european country russia. So you are right, its in all european countries like that. In a lot of countries, if you dont give way to emergency vehicle, it can even cost you a few months of your paycheck, if the result of your actions was lethal.
In many European countries even when you are in your own vehicle and hit the horn emergency ... drivers pull over because it means you're on something between life and death.
You're right, in Europe it's a normal reaction. We do it in Poland too. This is what we call "korytarz życia" (corridor of life or emergency corridor)
In fact, in the event of an accident, i.e. a traffic jam, the legal requirement in Germany or Austria is to leave the middle lane free. If there are three lanes, vehicles must split between the left and right lanes, if there are four lanes, they must use the two right lanes and one left lane, if there are five lanes, they must use both side lanes at most, and so on.
I also really didn‘t expect you to be so shocked. I was honestly a little shocked because of that somewhere else in the west that isn’t the normal reaction of drivers to a emergency. I can confirm that this is common sense here in Germany and Austria and not CGI. I hope that things change for the better in the US!
Edit: Apparently I was mistaken in terms of how the law in the US regulates such emergency situations. I‘m very sorry if my ignorance caused any displeasure and such. Again thank you very much @poopsatan4080 for the detailed information!
I'm from the US and I thought everybody knew to slow down and yield to emergency vehicles and that's what everybody does where I live in Virginia. I'm not aware of any states where that isn't the law so this video is very confusing to me as well.
@poopsatan4080 Thanks for the information. Now I’m really confused, too 🤔
Edit: I‘m very sorry for my ignorance. Taught me a lesson that I should always listen to both sides!
In Germany you learn when training for your driver's license that in case of a traffic jam you have to create a lane for potential emergency vehicles that need to pass through. This is called "Rettungsgasse". It does not matter if there is an ambulance or not, you just keep it open in case one needs to pass through.
since 10-15 years? in early 90's they didn't teached that (3-lane autobahn rule).
@@lockervomhocker9795 Made my driving license in 1997, it was standard at that time.
I've just been in Germany for over 2000km and was stuck in a multitude of traffic jams and I have not seen any of this. I guess traffic need to have come to a complete stop in order for this to happen. I do understand this is being taught as the hard shoulder is often used as a primary lane for a couple km. In the Netherlands the hard shoulder is never used as an extra lane under any circumstances, and if there is a jam they will use that to get where they need to be quick. If it's busy but no Jam they will drive the utmost left lane and everyone will get out of the way. So we don't move during a traffic jam unless there really is no other way. but 99.5% of the time they use the hard shoulder.
@@RalphVB you should always do it, if you don't and an accident happens you will get a penality
@@RalphVBthe right shoulder is not supposed to be the rescuers lane in germany because that is where potential broken down vehicles are stopping and they can’t move for rescuers. so if there is a full stop on the autobahn we are obligated to open upbetween the first and the second lane from left. I’m just wondering why you have not encountered that behavior because usually people slightly open that left lane even if there is no full stop but only stop and go. after a full stop there is no chance to open up the left rescuer lane.
This would happen pretty much Europe-wide, I'd guess - we certainly have the same thing happen here in the UK, because it's taught as part of your driving tuition before you take your test. But of course the Germans, being the super-efficient people they are, are going to take it to a whole new level of awesome. 😁
its kinda european union law by now. Even trainings in my country are held for drivers from out of the city from vilages TO understand this law because from time to time they dont understand whats happening. You see sirenes or blue-blue lights or red-blue lights you go to the side of the road no matter what.
Yes, yes, we Germans. I see myself more as a Saarland girl, a Saar French girl and we describe ourselves more as Gallians but less as Germans - Germanen-.
I even have a French surname.
Because we not only form the "emergency lane" on motorways Autobahnen, if the situation arises - this has happened to me several times -
I even stop the car and pull over when the ambulance is driving through small towns, villages or even cities. If I see the ambulance, police or fire brigade
behind me in the rear-view mirror, I park directly on the right and make room for these vehicles.
What was initiated on motorways, I have expanded and also make room for these vehicles outside motorways when every second counts in small towns, villages or even cities.
Stopping and halting the car on the right should be a matter of course.
I have to say its not always perfect in germany. Sometimes you see guys like the one in the video or even worse. But people will give him bad looks or shout to him that what he did is wrong. So its not always easy in germany.
your comment about germans is so sweet, i as a german appreciate a lot.
@@davidp2469 one should not forget, the lanes were quite full and maybe the driver was some elderly
person, overcarefull with where to go.
In a German traffic jam you have to move left if you are on the most left lane. Otherwise move right.
3 lanes: car left - ambulance lane (Rettungsgasse) - middle lane to right - right lane to right.
2 lanes: car left - Rettungsgasse - right lane to right.
Bro i may be on hormones but seeing people make this (i am german) makes me cry. This is such a beautiful reaction. Those people save lifes.❤
Same in Sweden, if you don't move over you'll get fined. I love to see how people instantly start cooperating to move out of the way when an emergency signal is heard, or just seen for that matter. It warms my heart. I still remember the emphasis when I took my license. "It's a question of life and death!! It could be your child in danger!"
It's not just here in Germany, you see this in whole europe. This is some of what you learn in driving schools, when you be teached for weeks by a professional driving teacher and not just drive with mom and dad for some hours and then you can go to your license test. You have to be teached in a lot of theory, like how to react in special situations, and then you need a lot of driving practice to be good educated for the real traffic.
This is why statistic says, that driving in Germany is safer then in the US, even without speed limit. 😉
This obligation exists not only in Germany, but also in Slovenia, the Czech Republic, Austria and Switzerland. If you do not follow this or abuse it, fines can amount to €2,180. In fact, this should be mandatory everywhere in Europe.
In Hungary too
In Europe ist normal behaviour.
It works --- these are emergencies . We are impressed with our services and they never ever fail .I live in Berlin and see such every day .The Firebrigade also doubles up as Ambulances for very urgent cases .Great system that works .For us lives matter more than money .
One big thing you have to know: They don't drive aside to make room for the ambulance that is there, but they drive to the side to make room for the ambulance, fire truck etc. that MAY come by at any moment. As soon as there is a traffic jam on major roads, you are legally required to build an alley for emergency services. You don't know if there was an accident ahead when you reach the end of the traffic jam. But exactly because you can't be sure, there are regulations in place to ensure that emergency services get the access they need.
Most people do not really know if there are regulations for that in the USA. It is mostly just common sense that it happens. It is not like you get training for driving in the USA. Well you might need to read "Rules of the Road" but that is it.
@@AzureDrag0n1 wym "it's not like you get training for driving in the USA"??? 😨 You guys have driving schools that teach you and let you practice with instructors and then have to pass exams right? Right?😅
@@Lilian040210 No. You just go to the DMV and fill out a form. A guy sits with you and you drive with him for 5 minutes or so. Then you get your license. There are driving schools and you can get trained but it is not mandatory.
@@AzureDrag0n1and here I thought the USA can't surprise me anymore
@@AzureDrag0n1 Tell me that you are joking
Heart breaking to think that someone would not pullover to allow an ambulance or any emergency vehicle to pass.😢
En España también es así.
Me impresiona que te sorprenda...es lo que cualquier persona tiene que hacer: ¡¡hay que pensar en los demás también!!
Yo estoy sorprendida de que en Estados Unidos no se haga igual...no lo puedo entender la verdad 😮
Im German and ive seen this "splitting of the Sea" like a 1000 times. To see ur reaction, knowing that in such big Country like the US they not doing this little things to save lifes, makes me proud as a German citizen. 😢😊
You called it. These drivers are civilized and unselfish. They understand that if it were them or someone they love, they would want that immediate attention at all costs.
That's true, but it's more than that. Everyone knows the longer you block the rescue vehicles from getting to the accident scene the longer you will have to wait before the road is free again. Common sense 😂😂
@@peterparker219 The problem with common sense is that sense never ain't common - Lazarus Long
Mhhmmm i wonder if the big fines you get if you don't also doesn't play a role. But i know it doesn't for me if i see a resque lane being opened i just follow the crowd and park my car to the side.
@@arturobianco848 Yes, of course, but I'm confident that most people in these countries follow this rule not because of the threat of fines, but the understanding that this is just reasonable.
@@systemdersiebenwelten I'm pretty sure of that to i'm a bit weird but not that exceptional.
YES! in the UK we all pull over, if you get trapped in the middle and accidentally block their path, we feel terrible about it. It's the right and polite way to behave, it could be your child in that ambulance!
cept in london huh ? :D
In germany the people doesnt do this because its the right behavior, we do it, because its the law.
That is right and important! It's called a "Rettungsgasse (rescue lane)" and you can even be penalized if you don't clear the way for the rescue.
We do this in Sweden too. It's part of our training in driving school and I think also stated by law. For all rescue vehicles, not just ambulances. Police, firemen etc.
This is how you know why following the rules like a German pays off and can even save lives. We don't just follow the rules as Germans for the fun of it, we do it because there is most often a very good reason for it. Great reaction though! I felt tense watching it like you did!
All safety rules are written with the blood of stupid people. 😛
Stimmt
We also follow the rules which ultimately are our doom so be careful in judging us. 🇩🇪🇩🇪🇩🇪
@@heinzletzte.6385 krieg dich mal wieder ein, ich bin Deutscher... seit den 70er jahren. ich kenn unsere bande von Lausbuben nur zu gut.
thank you! I always say the rules HAVE A REASON .... the government did not make them up just for the fun of it
As a volunteering Paramedic in Germany, I can tell you, that this was not a first response vehicle. It was an additional ordered one. So the first response vehicle would have found a different situation. I saw two police cars, parked besides the accident side. My guess is, that one of them tried to reach the accident as fast as possible, while the second one already established the "Rettungsgasse". That is possible, because this is part of the German drivers license training. If you want to have a German drivers licence, you have to learn basic life ensuring methods and how to respond towards emergency vehicles. Also the police is trained to ensure this and they have first response vehicles/stations every few kilometres on the autobahn. Additionally, you can go to jail for up to 5 years, if your reaction causes a death of someone, involving in an accident. I once saw someone benign arrested, who caused a terrible traffic jam in the rettungsgasse...
you also see that this video is about 30 years old, right?
Its more likly a HLF 20 or a LF 16/12 from the sound and all.
No Ambulance,its much too big.
Unlike many Australians, Germans actually take their drivers licence seriously as the privilege that it is. It's an expectation over here in Australia and any idiot can get one, many do not know the road rules and wouldn't care if they did. In saying that most are pretty good at giving way to emergency vehicles.
Have you ever been attacked by a German Shepherd.?
(the trespassing laws are different over there.)
In addition, if you intend to pass examination in Germany (or any other european country) you have to learn how to drive withe the manual gearbox 🙂
Same in Poland. Those people are totally at a different level!
I am shocked too, but because of so many of them still don’t handle it correct. I am driving every day on the Autobahn, and always some cars do not build the rescue lane correctly. Even better then in Germany it is working in The Netherlands. I am always impressed about them.
This is actually very typical in most countries in Europe. For example, here in Estonia, while we're studying our driving theory, it is made clear that it's actually part of driving rules, that when you hear sirens, even if you don't see where the emergency vehicles are coming from, you already look for a spot as close to the edge of the road as possible, make sure you aren't cutting anyone off and head towards it, so in case, even if the emergency vehicle is coming from the opposite direction and that side of the road is packed and can't move out of the way, the emergency services can just jump into oncoming direction and pass through it instead. Thanks to this, emergency services can get to the outer most area of their coverage, within the city, even at peak hours, in less than 3 minutes, which saves lives, plain and simple.
It's not just sound of siren, it is when there is a traffic jam, you just pull to the side and leave the middle of the road opened. We do the same in Slovenia.
One rescuer managed to promote the rule when he filmed their struggled to get thru a traffic jam due to the accident. His colegue had to run in front of their vehicle and clear the traffic. When they finally arrived to the scene he was completely exhausted. They published the video and people could see for themselves and learned the importance of creating the safery lane. People usually start moving to the side when traffic slows down.
The same rule/law in Austria! It took a couple of years till ALL drivers knew, that they had to open a "Rettungsgasse" (rescue lane).
Now it works very well!!!
In the UK a fire engine crew has the right to smash through parked cars if they are stopping the fire engine get through.
@@anthonyhowrard526In Germany too ❕😅
When is a dangerous situation, the "Feuerwehr" can pull other parking cars by side.
One time I see it in real life... but the 🚒 men don't do it with their truck.
They going out and with 3 man they pulled the car by side... without crashing the car 😂
That was very kind and I think not the normal way ❕😊
Love from Berlin 🇩🇪
Ramsi 🙋🏻♂️
@@Ramsi-Berlin thanks for the info. only been to Germany one time and it was to Berlin. We stayed in a tiny flat in former East Berlin. Really enjoyed it. The city and ppl where great.
@@anthonyhowrard526 Nice 👍🏼🙂
I was in the UK one time.
It was 1 week in London together with a good friend.
My friend was a medical doctor and worked two a half years in London... so he can show me many places and things 😃👌🏼
We go to clubs too.
The party's and clubs was amazing 😍
And it was a city where I could imagine to live ❕
Only two places I see in my life, where I thought "Here I could be glad"
This was in London and in Barcelona 😅
The people in London was so different as what I expected.
I thought there are many white people with red hairs 🤣😂
In the whole week I saw only 2 persons who looked so 🙈😜
We had the whole week sunny weather with around 30°C.
We going swimming on a lake... going into the green garden and that was a good contrast to the party's at night 😁
As a German I can tell this is absolutely real. This is actually required by law. So ambulances, firefighters and the police can get to any accidents quickly.
Drivers make emergency lane as soon as the traffic gets congested and slow down. Even if there's not an accident ahead, like in this video, there might be another emergency, like vehiches going to hospital, fire, crime scene, maintenance work on the highway etc. It took some years for people to figure it out across Europe, but now things run more or less smoothly.
I must admit that I am also shocked by how shocked you are. We do the same here in Australia. As soon as people notice a siren, most of them will move straight over.
Same in NZ. Who holds up an ambulance?
@@icebergrose8955 americans it seems :(
in my opinion as soon as u meet on stocking traffic u should already make way for a possible ambulance, if u hear the siren or the light its already losing time for them. But ofc u are right
@@hansdampf640 he's doing this for views and lying his ass off in the process
Are Americans that antisocial?
as a Central European, it surprises me that you are surprised by something like this :D in Europe, this is completely normal, that when you hear a siren on the road and it doesn't matter if it's a highway or an ordinary county road, you always try to create the best possible space for an ambulance, fire brigade or the police...
Spoiler Alert: It's completely normal everywhere. The video is clickbait.
@@Im_With_Stupid No it's not, video is legit. You should consider to change your nick to Im_Stupid_Troll.
@@Seticzech What's happening in the video is legit. The person acting all shock by it is faking it for clicks. He knows gullible, pretentious Europeans eat rubbish like this up and he's playing them all for fools... and quite effectively. Everyone everyone yields the right of way to emergency vehicles whether they do it exactly like this or some other way that produces the same results. Bottom line.
Stop being so gullible.
@@Im_With_Stupid Sure, that's why I found several other similar videos. 😀
@@Im_With_Stupid BTW I watch US dashcammers a lot, so I can see how it looks like at US roads in my own eyes. And for me it's like tank-o-drome, just so terrible. It's not about gullibility at all.
Not just in Germany, people are taught that when from behind an ambulance is trying to get through the traffic, you always have to imagine who they're trying to get to save their lives, it could be your wife, or son, or daughter or husband. And just imagine if you're at home and the police knock at your door with the news that a family member died but could have been saved if the ambulance wasn't slowed down by idiots who wouldn't let them pass. And by law you have to let them pass.
The drivers (who are also parameds) are very well skilled. Your normal driving, if the blues and twos come near, is Get Out Of The Way.
And from Australia ... it's pretty normal. In fact, it kinda makes you feel good when you see everyone pull to the sides to create a lane specifically for the ambulance to get through 😁
I always feel so proud when that happens
Yep, I think it's because we have the "imagine if it was you" mentality.
Its also one of the very rare occasions where I will swear like a sailor if someone fucks it up. Most other stuff while driving doesn't really irk me. Well, not using your turn signal maybe.
100% I absolutely go nuts if I move outta the way and the dipshit infront or behind just sits there looking stupid when emergency services are approaching 🤦🏼♀️ I don't care, freely, highway, side street, intersection etc, just do it. Don't fk with other people's lives
Usually it was an anti-vaxer being transported to prison...rather than an emergency response vehicle.
In the UK, it is a criminal offence to delay any Blue light vehicle. Great reaction.
Yes, it's a criminal offence in pretty much every European country, I believe, and it's every bit understandable. The Americans just live on another planet.
Same in all civilized countries, not in US...
But not obeyed in the UK to anything like the same extent as in Europe. However if you were the one in trouble and needed the emergency services, you would want everyone to get out of the way.
@@simonpilk "If you were the one in trouble and needed the emergency services, you would want everyone to get out of the way". Fair enough but I was once carried to hospital in an ambulance with siren and flashing lights on and I felt very uncomfortable at the idea of disturbing so many people along the way. My condition was not that serious and I asked the paramedics to turn off the siren and flashing lights. I hate being a nuisance or disturbing people around me.
@@majy1735 which country were you talking about?
Yesterday I had to literally drive head first (softly) into a plowed-up pile of snow to make room for an ambulance in Helsinki, Finland. Luckily I managed to back out of there despite intense rush hour city traffic
Same in Australia mate, make room. Imagine if it was your family needing help, we all join together and help
In the UK hearing a siren while driving is panic inducing. You instantly think "Where is that coming from!!?" And rush to get out of the way lol
So true!
I feel the same way!!😂
I live in the UK and moved over into a bus lane to allow an ambulance to get through. I was caught on a camera and later received a penalty charge for entering a bus lane.
@@GeeCeeWU Did you appeal the penalty charge notice? If it is rejected you can submit your case to the traffic penalty tribunal to get it reviewed
@@platzpropeller858 You are not supposed to pull into a bus lane to let an emergency service vehicle pass and they changed the highway code in 2022 to reflect this. So the penaly charge would have been upheld on appeal. The best thing to do is stay out of the bus lane so the ambulance can use that. If you think about it that makes the most amount of sense since bus lanes are usually empty.
In my experience, this video about German reactions to emergency vehicles could be replicated for almost every country throughout Europe. However, Joel, if you think the response in the US is poor, most cities in Africa would shock you even more.
Yeah, pretty much the same reaction in the UK, although we would all pull into the left lane, never both sides. (Undertaking is illegal)
UK and Ireland is very respectful to sirens next it might be you or a member of your family / friend ❤
In Australia drivers do not give a shit about emergency services.
In The Netherlands too like this in Germany of the use the emergency lane: Fire brigade, ambulance and police.
@@nw7630Why? Don't you think the worst should learn from the best? To cover problems is no solution.
In case of emergency it is really like that. In every other circumstance on german autobahn the right lane is for lorries and horses, the middle for the deaf and blind and the left lane for the other 98% fighting to be faster than exactly the one car in front of them.
I'm Italian and 42 years later still shocked by how italians react to the ambulance
I always warms my heart when I hear an ambulance an everyone's making a perfect part. It's like everyone is trying their best to help the person in need, even though it's just driving to the side and making room for the ambulance.
I live in Norway, and it is just the same here. European driving education is more extensive than in the US I think, and this is an important point in the theory. We don't have so many roads in Norway with more than 2 lanes in each direction, but on 2 lane roads it is even easier to know what to do. Just slow down and get onto the shoulder of the road. Even on roads with one lane in each direction this is usually quite effective. If you are on a road with one lane in each direction then don't stop on the shoulder if there are obstacles in the center between the lanes. Sometimes it can be hard to hear the siren, so for me it is usually the blinking blue lights in the rear view mirror that alerts me. There are always a few that is slow to be aware of the situation so you have to be thoughtful in how you manouver your car and try to estimate how all cars can find a space on the side of the road.
they basicly dont learn, they pay, they get, they wreck
uhm no ... lol where in Norway do they do that? Which law tells them to do that?
@@EnjoyFirefighting warum hinterfragen Sie das so vehement? Warum sollte Norwegen kein Gesetz zur Rettungsgasse haben? Und selbst ohne Gesetze halten sich Menschen an Konventionen die sich als nützlich erwiesen haben.
@@EnjoyFirefighting Why don't you look it up? It took me less than 60 seconds of searching to find the actual law in question. And, as anyone who has been driving a car around Europe knows, yes they do exactly that in Norway. And elsewhere.
@@sisuguillam5109 weil es dieses Gesetz schlichtweg nicht gibt. Ja, es gibt ein Gesetz um Platz für EInsatzfahrzeuge zu schaffen, aber es gibt das Gesetz zum Bilden der Rettungsgasse nicht. Das komplette Norwegische Autobahnnetz umfasst weniger Kilometer als allein die A9 hierzulande lang ist. Es konzentriert sich dabei überwiegend auf die Hauptstadtregion und die von dort aus nach Südwesten, Südosten und Nordosten verlaufenden Verkehrsachsen, dann nochmal um die zweitgrößte Stadt des Landes herum ein Stück Autobahn, und an nur zwei weiteren Punkten sehr kurze Abschnitte. Mehr gibt es nicht. In den nördlichen zwei Dritteln des Landes gibt es keinen einzigen Autobahnkilometer und die Einwohner sind teils mehrere Tagesetappen weit weg von der nächsten Autobahn. Da würde es nichtmal Sinn machen, es zu lehren (wenn es das Gesetz geben würde, was nicht der Fall ist). Stell dir vor du müsstest erstmal 4 Tage lang fahren bevor du zu einer Autobahn kommst und du würdest es in deiner Gegend nie und nimmer anwenden. Klar, kein optimales Beispiel, denn mancherorts bist auch fast ne Tagestour von der nächsten Ampel entfernt, aber ja ...
wenn man weiß, in welchen Ländern es die Rettungsgasse tatsächlich gibt, dann ist es leicht nach dem Ausschlussprinzip zu schauen, in welchen es diese nicht gibt. Viele Leute glauben, es käme hier drauf an, schnell und zügig auf ein sich näherndes Einsatzfahrzeug zu reagieren, und ja, dahingehend gibt es ja auch Gesetze, das wäre vollkommen richtig. Dass das hier aber vollkommen unabhängig davon ist, ob überhaupt ein Einsatzfahrzeug kommt, und dass die Rettungsgasse auf Grund des Staus bereits lange vor einem eventuell kommenden Einsatzfahrzeug bereits gebildet sein muss, das wissen die natürlich nicht
This is
mercy for the dying.
When you start learning how to drive, you will learn to stop for fire trucks, ambulances and police cars alongside how to park and change lane at least in Denmark
In Poland, we call it the "corridor of life." We use CB Radio and even jammers for regular radio - in case someone through the music can't hear the signal.
wow... jammer thats great and drastic but like so many said: its just sad, that so many people are too selfish to pull over or move at all. heartbreaking example of humanity those days- sadly. But not all hope is lost- I still belive in peoples hearts!
I'm actually shocked/surprised to hear that it seems so unusual in America to make what we call "Rettungsgasse" in Germany, which is actually also mandatory here. Actually you can get some sort of punishment even if you don't drive to the side to let the ambulance through
Here in Portugal also! You can go to jail, if you don't facilitate the path for an ambulance. But I think the american author was suspicious of the german cars allready pulled over to each side, before they could see the ambulance lights in the rearview mirror.
Is there a german explanation?
Because in a portuguese three lane motorway, the drivers stopped after an accident, would remain in each lane, untill an ambulance arrived. They would not guess the lane where the ambulance would come. (Normally the ambulance comes from the unusable/reserved 4th lane on the right, i.e. "roadside").
Is there some sort of protocol for assigning ambulance lane in germany?
@@zedaadega7420 Yes there ist a rule/protocol in Germany for a three lane motorway ( and 4th motorway and so on). when three lanes or more you have to form the pass between the last left line and the middle. as the video shows right from the beginning. hope this explains it..
Well, this is what happens when people pretend CZcams videos where "anything to get clicks" are reliable sources of information. The uploader knows Europeans will flock like zombies to the sound of gunfire to any video about the USA, so he caters to that crowd and then laughs at them (all the way to the bank) as they fall all over each other to be the first one to demonstrate how ignorant they are.
I'm sorry, but everybody everywhere moves over for emergency vehicles.... even in big bad America. Disappointing, I know, but that's the way it is.
@@zedaadega7420 yes, there is a protocol! If the traffic is going really slow (we call it "Schrittgeschwindigkeit"... under 10km/h), you have to make room for ambulance and emergency vehicles. Therefor all cars on the left lane has to drive as far left as possible. All cars on the right lanes (no matter how many lanes on right are) have to drive as far right as possible, but not on the right space which has the ongoing white line, this is the space for car-break-downs only!
if you're not doing so, it is possible to pay a fine up to 320€ and loose your license for a Month.
Minimum of 200€ Fine, 2 Points (more Points more Bad for you) and 1 Month where you are not allowed to Drive.
There is the duty by law for forming a rescue lane ("Rettungsgasse"), when there is a traffic jam on the motorway. When there are 3 lines, the left ones go to the left side, the cars on the "two right" sides go right.
I had a massive cerebral hemorrhage in 1998 and was already on artificial ventilation. We have a city highway in Berlin - Germany and the journey was via this, and the emergency doctor said the emergency lane worked perfectly. That was the only thing that saved my life. I am horrified by what is happening in other countries, including the USA
Austrian here. This also happens in Austria and pretty much all over Europe, as it is common traffic law and is thought in driving school. it is called "Rettungsgasse" or "saving ally" and is mandatory on the motorway as well on the highway and inner city
Rettungsgasse in Österreich? Ich hab noch nie mehr als 20 Autos gleichzeitig auf euren Autobahnen gesehen :-) Bei euch fährts sich immer so entspannt.
Not in the city. Ln Austria the "Rettungsgasse" is mandatory only an motorways and Highways.
And it has to be formed automatically in the event of a traffic jam. Besides, it still doesn't work very well.
@@user-lw5ro3yo8b Dann komm A23 um 17 Uhr. 😂
@@IcemanVienna97 Oh stimmt Wien gehört ja auch zu Österreich 🙂 Spaß. Ich muss auch zugeben das ich viel Richtung Graz, Innsbruck. Saalbach unterwegs war und das in der Nebensaison weil ich in den Hotels die Software installiert habe.
Wien hin und wieder mal aufm Rückweg.
Geile Stadt, besonders im Sommer am Donaukanal.
@@user-lw5ro3yo8b Würde dann aber eher Donauinsel und dort die Copa Cagrana bzw. die gegenüberliegende Sunken City empfehlen.
My husband had a heart attack and I had to sit next to the driver of the ambulance. Such a strange experience. All cars let you go through. But also scaring. Lucky my man was at the hospital in time. Greetings from The Netherlands.
Rettungsgasse! In Germany you won't get a driving license if you don't know that you have to form an emergency lane (Rettungsgasse) if there is an accident. There are videos on how to form them and almost all Germans follow them. And I love it!!!
I’m checking for which way the emergency vehicle is coming as soon as I hear the siren, ready to be well out the way if needed!
The only way to view emergency vehicles is - it could be your family, your home, your friends that are in need of emergency assistance!
I’m in the U.K.
Indeed on one occasion I witnessed a driver who point blank refused to move out the way in stationary traffic, refused to even make eye contact with the ambulance crew, two other men got out their cars, one dragged the driver out the other moved the car out the way - both got a thumbs up from the paramedic team!