We often hear it said that our roads are dangerous, and most us from time to time have experienced incidents that prompt us to go along with that term without too much thought. There is nothing really wrong with our roads, but the same cannot be said for many who take to the roads daily with an attitude of defiance against basic safety rules.It is this reckless behaviour displayed practically every day, by too many motorists that could be a contributing factor to accidents that often result in vehicle damage, injury, and sometimes worse. Police and road safety officials are constantly appealing to the public to exercise greater caution at all times to protect everyone.Somehow, despite every effort to promote safety, there is a callous and very irresponsible attitude by some motorists, with dangerous overtaking and breathtaking attempts to avoid complying with traffic lights. During peak traffic periods these traits are most prominent. It is almost as though some motorists resent any type of rule or law.Even at a time when things are fairly quiet, like a Sunday morning, an incident can occur that makes one wonder whether anything can be done to change attitudes when it comes to basic traffic rules. That’s was what happened to me on Sunday.It was about 9.20am when the sound of an emergency vehicle could be heard clearly heading west on the Middle Road in Paget. I was heading east and pulled over as the ambulance came into view. I then noticed someone riding their motor bike directly in front of the ambulance, with no indication or intention of complying with the emergency siren.As both vehicles passed me I heard a loud speaker on the ambulance appealing to the motorists to stop. I could not believe what I had seen. As I drove away I noticed in my mirror the cycle and the ambulance had stopped and someone in the ambulance was having words with the cyclist.A King Edward VII Memorial Hospital official later told me that at times the tone of the siren is changed in hopes of getting a response from a vehicle blocking their path. It is an ongoing concern for emergency vehicles because they place great emphasis on safety while trying to reach someone in need of medical assistance as quickly as possible.The real concern here is that there appears to be a growing trend to treat emergency vehicles as a nuisance to be ignored. Refusing to slow down or stop for an emergency vehicle not only violates safety rules, but shows disrespect for a system designed to get medical help where it is needed as soon as possible. That is pure common sense.Certainly, it is gratifying to see there are still drivers who show politeness in allowing someone to exit from a gate where vision might not be all that clear, prior to entering the main road.Good road manners are key in creating a safer environment, and with the number of vehicles out there, this could be the difference between the rate of collisions Police deal with daily. We all know collisions occur, but they are rarely accidents. Most are the result of inattention, carelessness, being under the influence of something affecting the ability to concentrate, speeding, plus a total disregard of traffic laws.The public needs to be more supportive when these vehicles are approaching because a life could depend on it. We hear so often how Bermuda has changed. Hopefully we can make a change for the better in our road manners.