Passing an ambulance?

[TheArkansasRoadgeek]

I recall my wife saying she...and a whole lot of others...were stuck behind an ambulance on a highway going below the limit. Anytime someone tried passing the ambulance, the driver would swerve out of the lane to prevent the person to pass. It was really odd behavior by that ambulance driver, as if he was intentionally holding up traffic.

What is this California? Where they do "traffic breaks" to slow traffic and make gaps for safety.

[TheArkansasRoadgeek]

I would stay behind it just to stay on the safe side. I'd consider getting off at the next exit/rest area and waiting for a few minutes just to wipe the slate clean though.

But, wouldn't you eventually end up back in the same situation, granted that you would be headed in the same direction?

[roadman65]

Yesterday, I saw an ambulance come at me from the opposite side of the road on a four lane divided highway.  I thought he would never get to me as I saw him for at least 30 seconds prior to him reaching me.

The road had a limited sight distance of less than a quarter mile, so he should have arrived sooner considering the speed limit is 45.  So I figure he was doing less than the speed limit where I am sure many were between 45 & 50.

I have seen it in other travels where the ambulance is only going the same speed as traffic.  The only advantage the lights and sirens have is just to pave a clear way in front of them, not to inform motorists that they are in hurry to get their patient to the hospital because most I have seen travel at the speed of traffic despite being allowed to move faster.  Heck, I saw one ambulance sit at an intersection where all motorists were aware of it being there, but yet the driver still sat indefinitely there causing me to wait for the next green as he came on the adjacent roadway when my light turned green.  If he had gone instead of waited I still could have made the light.  I am guessing many are paranoid of road raged drivers or others listening to that GPS so they will do that long stop as a double fail safe.

[roadman]

Somewhat similar issue: I just seen an oversize load truck escorted by 2 state troopers, in addition to usual escort vehicles. Troopers had all their flashers on, but no sirens - which makes passing them perfectly legal in NY. I assume they needed all that to use 2 lanes, so leftmost of 3 lanes would still be open. And my impression they were going quite slowly (they were on opposite side of the interstate, so I couldn't see details)
SO.. would you think it is OK to pass? As far as I understand legal status of police and ambulance is pretty much the same.

Generally OK to pass oversized vehicle movements, provided there's room to pass and you exercise caution.  I've done so several times over the years.  Plus, it's not an emergency situation, so there is no reason for the police to have their sirens on.