DRIVERS: Better emergency advice

This is in response to Ron Ghramm’s letter printed Oct. 3 titled, “DRIVERS Share the road in emergencies.”

Before I critique Mr. Ghramm, I’m sorry to hear of his accident and hope that his hand is healing.

On the day of his accident, Mr. Ghramm did everything wrong and made assumptions that simply didn’t make sense. The logical action following his accident would have been to call 911. An ambulance, staffed with a paramedic and EMT would likely have arrived in 4-7 minutes, the typical response time. These medics would have made an assessment, started first aid, dressed the wound, correctly preserved the severed digit, started an IV line, administered pain and other medications, then transported him swiftly and safely to a hospital. If, in their opinion, his injury required more care than was available locally, he could have been evacuated via helicopter to an appropriate medical facility, likely in Spokane.

That’s not how Mr. Ghramm handled things. He describes using a personal vehicle to charge off to (presumably) Kootenai Health. Now, let’s consider if Mr. Ghramm was in any condition to drive. Having just suffered a serious injury, he tells of being in “massive pain.” No doubt. Severe injuries, with blood loss, often cause shock and sometimes unconsciousness. It’s safe to presume that with one injured hand, he’s using just one hand to drive, while speeding and weaving in and around other freeway traffic. But wait. Ron has his emergency flashers on.

Idaho law does not allow civilian vehicles to exceed the speed limit or drive erratically with or without flashers on. The other motorists on I-90 that day were likely terrified seeing Mr. Ghramm’s driving. Had he just stolen that car? Robbed a bank? Was he running from the police? High on drugs?

Mr. Ghramm complains that the driver of the General Motors pick-up truck traveling ahead of him in the No. 1 lane intentionally slowed. That driver wasn’t stupid, ignorant or rude, as Mr. Ghramm suggests. That driver likely saved lives. You, Mr. Ghramm, were in no physical or mental condition to drive that day. You put dozens of other motorists at risk. Civilian vehicles, flashers or not, are NOT emergency vehicles. Had you lost consciousness during your mad drive, or been unable to control your vehicle while driving with one hand and speeding, an accident of untold proportions could have occurred.

Law enforcement vehicles have dozens of various lights and a siren. The officer, trooper or deputy behind the wheel has been trained in high-speed driving techniques. Of course, that officer isn’t maimed or injured, as you were. Those trained professionals would never try your stunt with just four-way flashers!

Your driving was erratic and terribly reckless. You were physically injured, emotionally stressed and made a poor decision by attempting your mad dash to the hospital in that condition. You put the motoring public at risk. You were wrong to drive and wrong to criticize others. Most importantly, emergency flashers give you no special privileges. Next time, the only rational, reasonable, sensible course of action would be to call 911.

JERRY ROSE

Hayden