Footage of a Boston EMS vehicle hustling through an intersection is making rounds on social media. The response is split but overwhelmingly critical of a Range Rover following the ambulance much too closely.

Some drivers “ride the wake” created by emergency response vehicles

In the clip, what seems to be a cyclist wearing a helmet cam films the ambulance crossing in front of them. The EMS driver blared their sirens as they entered the intersection. In doing so, we might assume the ambulance was about to run a red light in the name of the mission at hand.

Suddenly, though, the ambulance slams on its brakes…in the middle of the intersection. A Range Rover in close range skids to a stop, nearly rear-ending the emergency vehicle. Pedestrians had just entered the crosswalk, and the Range Rover skirted dangerously past right before the brake check.

“Oh my gosh,” the biker exclaims, “What is this Range Rover doing?”

The ambulance pauses for a beat in the stopped position and then drives forward again, continuing on its path with its lights on.

The Range Rover’s assumed behavior is called “riding the wake” of an ambulance. The driver essentially takes advantage of the “cleared path” the EMS vehicle creates. However, this path isn’t a real option for regular drivers. Only a first responder can forego traffic laws. Hence, it’s assumed the Range Rover was driving an illegal path (possibly through a red light). It looks like they were driving illegally close, too.

Most states spell out minimum following space drivers must give an ambulance

According to the Ohio State Bar Association, drivers must give emergency vehicles making active transports (lights and sirens going) at least 500 feet.

While it seems the Range Rover wasn’t following local laws, it’s hard to tell what the traffic signals were indicating. Still, comments are lighting up with criticisms of the local driver.

One commenter pleaded with viewers to avoid tailgating EMS vehicles: “There’s nothing scarier than attending to a patient in the back of the ambulance and some [curse] is tailgating… often, we aren’t strapped in bc were providing care… and if you hit us, we will get severely injured. Please don’t tailgate.”

Another shared that some ambulance crews will write down the license plate numbers of tailgating cars. “Where I’m from in VA the ambulance door windows are one-way and a paramedic in the rear will write down license plates of vehicles that tailgate or use the ambulance to skip traffic. It’s a hefty ticket, and rightfully so.”

However, some commenters bring up the danger of brake-checking, especially if there’s a working crew with a patient inside.

“Still, it’s not a paramedics job to enforce traffic laws. He’s lucky the range rover didn’t hit him,” one posed.

In Ohio, at least, driving without respect for an ambulance has various repercussions, from hundreds in fines, community service, or jail time.