Roadside Safety Tips for EMS Workers

Nobody ever said it was easy to be an Emergency Medical Services (EMS) worker. In 2020, approximately 16,900 EMS clinicians were treated in hospital emergency rooms for work-related injuries.¹

These hardy workers put their lives on the line every day to provide life-saving care in some of the most dangerous environments — one of the most hazardous being the roadside. The simple fact is that working near moving traffic presents enormous safety risks.

To stay safe while delivering emergency care, EMS workers must actively reduce risks at every scene. This guide covers essential roadside EMS safety tips, focusing on staying visible, positioning vehicles, and reducing hazards while responding to roadside emergencies.

Why Roadside Rescues Are So Dangerous

Working along highways, busy streets, or rural roads exposes EMS personnel to multiple dangers that can quickly turn deadly.

Understanding these risks is the first step in mitigating them and improving your safety as an EMS worker:

• Moving Traffic: Drivers may not always slow down or move over, even with your first-responder lights activated. Speeding vehicles and distracted drivers pose a constant threat.
• Low Visibility: Roadside rescues often happen at night, in fog, rain, or areas with poor lighting, making it harder for drivers to see you.
• Secondary Collisions: As an emergency responder, you have a significant risk of being struck by vehicles involved in an initial crash or by other inattentive motorists.
• Unstable Conditions: Debris, hazardous spills, uneven terrain, or icy roads are a few unpredictable hazards you need to be prepared for.
• Mental and Physical Strain: You need to stay sharp while treating patients, but exhaustion and stress can lead to tunnel vision — making you vulnerable to incoming dangers.

Position Your Emergency Vehicle for Maximum Safety

Proper emergency vehicle positioning is one of the most effective ways you can increase roadside safety and create a safer work environment. The ambulance should be parked at an angle — to the left or the right, depending on road conditions — to serve as a shield between EMS workers and oncoming traffic.

• Position the vehicle between the flow of traffic and emergency responders to redirect vehicles away from the scene and provide a safer area for patient care.
  • If possible, park another emergency vehicle 150-200 feet behind the shielding vehicle for additional protection.
• Ensure  first responder lights, hazard signals, and reflective markings always remain activated to increase visibility.
• Keep the front wheels of the vehicle turned away from the emergency personnel. This prevents the emergency vehicle from striking workers in the event of impact from a passing car or truck.
• Set up a perimeter using traffic cone lights, flares, or other warning devices that can further alert approaching drivers and prevent them from coming too close to the rescue site.
• Always attempt to exit and work on the side of the vehicle that’s away from traffic, minimizing your exposure to moving vehicles.²

By taking these precautions, EMS workers can reduce the risk of secondary collisions and create a controlled, safer environment for responders and patients.

Stay Alert and Aware to Reduce Risks

While visibility and vehicle positioning are essential, EMS workers must remain constantly aware of their surroundings while responding to roadside emergencies.

Coordinating with law enforcement and firefighters can enhance EMS safety, as police can manage traffic flow and firefighters can provide additional barriers using their larger vehicles.

Avoid tunnel vision while providing patient care, as hyper-focusing on the emergency can make you unaware of incoming dangers.

Instead, maintain situational awareness and periodically scan the surroundings to identify potential hazards, such as approaching vehicles or shifting debris.

Communication is also key. Team members should regularly check in with each other to ensure everyone is aware of the safest locations to work.

Finally, have an escape route in mind in case the scene becomes unstable.

By implementing these strategies, EMS workers can provide critical care while minimizing risks in high-traffic, unpredictable roadside environments.

Wear High-Visibility Gear and Lighting

One of the most effective ways you can protect yourself on the job is by ensuring you are always clearly visible to oncoming traffic. Proper visibility can make the difference between a driver slowing down and not seeing an EMS worker until it’s too late.

• Wear ANSI-Certified Reflective Vests: A high-visibility vest over your uniform enhances your visibility, especially in low-light conditions. Bright colors with reflective strips provide maximum contrast.
• Use Safety Lights: A Guardian Angel light and vest are 89% more visible than a vest alone, providing 360° visibility when attached to uniforms or vehicles.
• Choose Proper Footwear: Wearing slip-resistant boots with reflective accents adds another layer of visibility and reduces your risk of slipping on debris or slick surfaces.
• Make Eye Contact with Drivers: Before stepping into traffic lanes, try to make eye contact with approaching drivers to ensure they’re aware of your presence.

EMS Roadside Safety with Guardian Angel

Roadside emergencies are unpredictable, but EMS safety doesn’t have to be. In the face of chaotic conditions, EMS workers need a wearable first responder light that provides reliable, hands-free visibility to stay protected.

The Guardian Angel Elite Series™ is designed to provide 360° visibility, ensuring drivers see you from every angle — significantly reducing the risk of roadside accidents. When paired with a hi-vis vest, it makes you 89% more visible, increasing the likelihood that drivers will slow down and move over.

Whether attached to your radio strap, shoulder, or uniform, this light’s waterproof, dustproof, and shockproof design stands up to the toughest conditions, keeping you focused on what matters most — your patient.

Sources:

1. National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health. Emergency Medical Services Clinician Injury Data.

2. International Association of Fire Fighters. Best Practices for Emergency Vehicle and Roadway Operations Safety in the Emergency Services.