LAPD, LAFD Asking Encino-Tarzana Residents to 'Move to Right' for Emergency Vehicles

LOS ANGELES, CA -- Los Angeles police and fire officials Wednesday began a public-outreach campaign aimed at reminding motorists to pull to the right and make way for police cars, fire trucks and ambulances responding to emergency scenes.

"In life or death situations, every second counts," Los Angeles Police Department Chief Charlie Beck said. "This campaign reminds our residents that their actions make a direct difference in the safety of their fellow residents."

The campaign is dubbed "Move to the Right," and will include billboards on space donated by Clear Channel Outdoor Americas and ad spots on gasoline pump video screens provided by GSTV.

LAPD and LAFD officials noted that the campaign coincides with the holiday season, when more motorists are on the roads.

"Winding roads and steep gradients already pose a challenge to the driver of an ambulance, fire truck or police car," LAFD Deputy Chief Phillip Fligiel said. "Further delays caused by unyielding cars is an issue that can and must be improved upon."

The fire and police officials pointed to a 2012 study by the Los Angeles Times that found LAFD response times lagged behind the national standard of six minutes, particularly in street-congested West Los Angeles. They also noted that traffic collisions involving emergency vehicles have increased by 20 percent since 2014.

-- City News Service, photo via Shutterstock