For three blocks it stays directly ahead of ambulance 11. Engine Company 123 and Tower Ladder 39 head to a call on the South Side. Frequently their runs will take them along Western Avenue where they often see behavior that goes beyond simple carelessness, according to firefighters. They basically get in front of us and they think it's a game or a joke. Anyone who has waited for a fire truck or ambulance knows that minutes can mean the difference between life and death.
Firefighters breathe that.
They also know that getting to their destination may pose far greater risks than what they might face when they arrive on the scene. Failing to yield to emergency vehicles is not a new problem, and it's not unique to Chicago, but over the years it's gotten worse. There are more cars on the road. They ride quieter. Motorists are preoccupied with phones, food, sound systems, and getting where they want to be.