We’ve allllll been that person – you’re driving with your headphones on, singing along to ‘Boss Ass Bitch’ by Nicki Minaj at the top of your lungs; then all of a sudden, you glance in your rear view mirror to see there’s an emergency vehicle coming up behind you. You should’ve seen it a good handful of minutes ago, but you were distracted thinking about Minaj‘s glorious booty and talent for rapping. Now, because of you and your car-rapping, someone’s life may be in danger.
Yeah – it’s that serious, you guys.
NSW have catered for inattentive/headphone-wearing people, by rolling out fire engines with the ability to notify you of their presence with vibrations, rather than just sirens and flashing lights. The trucks will have large subwoofer speakers attached to the front, which will direct low frequency soundwaves through the ground, that both drivers and pedestrians will feel.
Emergency Services Minister David Elliot said, about the new development:
“Modern society today means that people are always tuned out, and that includes unfortunately pedestrians and motorists. You can’t legislate for stupidity, sometimes you need technology to get the message across. This new technology will allow for pedestrians and motorists to feel a fire engine coming close to them.”
Fire and Rescue NSW Commissioner Greg Mullins said it’s super difficult for fire trucks to slow down for pedestrians and drivers who do not hear them coming:
“It’s become a huge problem and we’re worried that one day we’ll have a serious accident. It’s going to help people get out of the way of emergency vehicles. When responding to a fire, a road accident, other emergencies, minutes and seconds can count.”
STAY VIGILANT, PEOPLE. If you see the lights, hear the siren, or now, feel the rumble of a firetruck – stay the hell outta their way. Those legends are tryin’ to save lives!
via ABC
