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2009-12-14 - WARNING! DANGEROUS SURFACES AHEAD Professional Paramedic Association of Ottawa -Media Release- WARNING! DANGEROUS SURFACES AHEAD With snow and slick roads in the forecast for the next few days, the Professional Paramedic Association of Ottawa would like to remind you to slow down, leave extra space and take extra time, especially while driving by motor vehicle collisions. Surfaces can change significantly, even over very short distances. Remember, if you see a crash ahead it is usually because the road conditions in the area of the collision are more dangerous than the location you are approaching from. In order to reduce risk of injury to yourself, paramedics, and the patients we are treating, we ask you to consider the following recommendations when driving by a collision site: - Reduce your speed significantly - Pass by with caution - Be aware that the ambulance size may conceal paramedics and we are usually working in front of it - Leave plenty of room between us and you – move over a full lane If poor road conditions caused your car to slide, other cars will slide as well. If you do become involved in a collision remember to stay in your vehicle at all times. If you stand outside your vehicle you are at risk of being struck by a passing motorist. Your car is a very strong cage designed to protect you – let the cage do its job and keep yourself inside until paramedics arrive. Please drive carefully. NOTE: Every year, paramedics are killed at the side of a roadway while rendering medical assistance to those involved in motor vehicle collisions. North American Statistics indicate 74% of paramedic deaths occur while medical care is being administered at roadside crashes. -30- NOTE TO MEDIA: Ottawa Paramedics ask that you please refrain from using the word “accident”. The use of the word “accident” implies the event was not preventable. Truthfully, motor vehicle collisions are all preventable and should be referred to as “events”, “crashes”, “incidents” or “collisions”. Suzanne Noël, Advanced Care Paramedic Director of Print Media Professional Paramedic Association of Ottawa 300 March Rd (4th Floor) Ottawa, ON K2K 2E2 Phone: (613) 244-0333 PrintMedia@OttawaParamedics.ca www.OttawaParamedics.ca The Professional Paramedic Association of Ottawa is responsible for promoting the practice of Paramedicine and ensuring the highest level of care for our patients. We are leaders in the advancement of Paramedicine and achieve our objectives through public awareness, research and education. We lobby for self-regulation under the Regulated Health Professions Act. We also assist in fundraising for community-based charities. The Professional Paramedic Association of Ottawa is a proud chapter of the Ontario Paramedic Association and the Paramedic Association of Canada. The Professional Paramedic Association of Ottawa (PPAO) is not a labour union. |