Hazard Lights – Yes
Civilians should be allowed to use their hazard lights as an emergency signal when they drive to the hospital. Although hazard lights are typically used for vehicles that are pulled over to the side of the road, they can also be used to alert other drivers of an emergency. When individuals need to be transported to the hospital, they need to arrive there as rapidly as possible. When a medical emergency occurs, many individuals will be transported to the hospital in an ambulance. The flashing lights on the ambulance alert the other drivers that the individual within the vehicle needs to be transported to the hospital immediately. However, when a person is not transported to the hospital in an ambulance, they may still need to arrive at the hospital as soon as possible. If there are no flashing lights on the car to alert the other drivers, then no one will know that a medical emergency is taking place. The use of hazard lights can help those who are not in an ambulance to be transported to the hospital quickly, and to receive the medical care that they need.
While using an ambulance is the best possible option for those who need immediate medical care, this does not always occur. Sometimes, a person may not want to call an ambulance. They may feel better if a friend or a family member drives them to the hospital. Also, some people may be intimidated by an ambulance. Nevertheless, driving appears as the better alternative. The usual assumption associated with driving to the hospital is that the sick individual is not having an emergency. At times this assumption may be true, but it is not always true. When people go to the hospital, they usually want to be seen as fast as possible. Therefore, they want to arrive at the hospital as soon as possible. A regular car has no way of warning the other drivers of the medical problem. This inhibits the person in the car from receiving the medical treatment that they need. If regular cars were allowed to use their hazard lights as an emergency signal, then at least the other drivers would realize that there is a problem.
The use of hazard lights should only occur in an emergency situation. For example, if an individual is just driving to the hospital because he or she works there, then that is not an emergency. If an individual is sick and needs immediate treatment, then that is an emergency. One of the reasons why some people may not agree with the use of hazard lights as a signal when driving to the hospital is because people may take advantage. This is a definite concern. After all, the safer approach to an emergency situation would be to call an ambulance. However, there should be guidelines as to when people can use their hazard lights when driving to the hospital. It could help to save the life of the patient.
