Viral video shows Range Rover driving close to Boston ambulance

Off beat

In the video, the SUV appears to narrowly avoid a collision after the ambulance abruptly braked in downtown Boston.

Drive around Boston long enough and you’re sure to come across colorful language and creative maneuvers. After all, this city has one of the worst traffic flows in the world.

However, video of a traffic encounter between a Range Rover and a Boston ambulance has drawn thousands of views online and caused a stir on the Reddit forum r/IdiotsInCars.

In the video posted by user soundwavin, the SUV can be seen tailgating the ambulance along Congress Street in downtown Boston. After the emergency lights and sirens were activated, the ambulance abruptly braked as it crossed Hanover Street, prompting the SUV to do the same. The Range Rover appears to come to a stop just inches from the ambulance’s rear bumper.

[OC] EMS with emergency lights and sirens on is tired of being held up
byu/soundwavin inIdiotsInCars

Below the video, Soundwavin explained that the incident was captured on a bicycle helmet camera back in May. In another comment, the Reddit user added that the Range Rover driver was about a car length or two behind the ambulance when it suddenly braked.

“He was just ice cold as he stared ahead with his sunglasses on,” Soundwavin wrote. “No facial reaction or raised arms or anything. Just an ice-cold striker look like, ‘Okay, then’.”

While comments under the video ranged from joking to incredulous, Boston EMS spokeswoman Caitlin McLaughlin said rear-end collisions are a reality that ambulance drivers face in Boston traffic.

“It is very concerning to see a driver drive so close to one of our ambulances that is actively responding to a call,” McLaughlin said in an email. “Massachusetts law requires drivers to be within 300 feet of an emergency vehicle with its lights and sirens on. This helps protect the safety of our members and our patients. The driver seen in this video was significantly less than 300 feet away.”

Violators face a fine of up to $100 under state law.

“The unfortunate reality is that our emergency responders and paramedics face situations like this in Boston traffic,” McLaughlin said. “The best way the public can help our teams is for drivers to stop when they see lights and sirens and stay 300 feet behind our trucks.”