"I had a close call last night."

"I saw a driver shoot past me."

"A driver shook his fist at me."

This is just a sample of what Wilton ambulance drivers are saying when they return from calls, said Ron Hitter, president of the Wilton Volunteer Ambulance Corps. Hitter and Wilton Police Chief Michael Lombardo said the town's drivers are increasingly failing to yield to emergency vehicles.

Some cars don't pull over to the right and stop when an ambulance approaches with lights and sirens. Other drivers try to turn in front of approaching emergency vehicles.  And it's something all age groups and genders are doing.

"It's universal and it seems to be getting worse," Hitter said.

While ambulance drivers will sometimes note license plates and car makes of offending vehicles, WVAC doesn't keep official records of these incidents.  Drivers are focused on getting to the hospital quickly and safely and EMTs are focused on caring for patients.

Failing to pull over isn't only unsafe, it's illegal.

State law requires drivers pull to the right and stop, no matter what direction an emergency vehicle is heading. Failure to do so could cause serious injury or fatalities to the drivers, the ambulance crew or patients in transport.

"It only takes a split second for something to happen," Lombardo said.

While some might not be aware of the law, most of the cases are due to distracted driving, said Lombardo.  Some drivers are sending text messages, talking on hand-held cell phones, applying make-up or even shaving while driving.

People also must realize when an ambulance passes, another emergency vehicle is likely to follow close behind, be it the paramedics, a fire truck, or a police car. Drivers need to pull out with caution because, said Lombardo, "it only takes one incident to prevent a quicker response."

According to the Connecticut Drivers Manual:

Emergency Vehicles

When you see or hear an emergency vehicle approaching from any direction you must pull over to the right edge of the road, or as near to the right as possible, and stop your vehicle. You must remain stopped until the emergency vehicle has passed, unless otherwise directed by a state or local police officer or a firefighter.

"Move Over Law"- Effective October 1, 2009

When an emergency vehicle is pulled over on any part of a highway or road, drivers must:

• SLOW DOWN (below the posted speed limit)

                                and

• Move their vehicle over one lane whenever it is safe to do so.

This is required for vehicles with activated flashing lights including ambulances, fire trucks, police cars, tow trucks and road maintenance vehicles.