Skip to main content

Ambulances clear road with radio warnings in Ecuador

WASHINGTON – Ambulances are equipped with flashing red lights and screaming sirens, but sometimes they still have a hard time getting through traffic.

In Guayaquil, Ecuador, they’re trying something different to get drivers’ attention. According to gizmodo.com, ambulances are hijacking car radios to blare a warning that the ambulance is coming.

The ambulances uses a low-power broadcast that overrides AM and FM radio signals when the ambulance is within about a half-mile of the vehicle.

It has been estimated that the radio hijack is cutting response times by 40 percent.

Follow @WTOP on Twitter.

Quiz: Things you might not know about July 4

WASHINGTON — How well do you know your Independence Day trivia? Take our quiz. [custom_gallery]
Read Next Story