Bay emergency services are still battling drivers who ignore their flashing lights, pull to the wrong side of the road and don't check their rear vision mirror. And the advent of smartphones and instant uploads to social media has made them rethink some procedures, they say.
Pukehina Volunteer Fire Brigade chief officer Errol Watts said the brigade had to move with the times and change due to the advancements in technology.
The brigade was quick to get the screens up at crash sites but said there had been instances where family had showed up after being sent a text or photo.
"Family have basically been minutes after us at a fatal accident ... they want to get through and with all the emotion it doesn't really help you get on with your job."
However, he said while driver behaviour was usually good, if people had their radio loud or headphones in "when they do see you they just about fly off the road". Te Puke's chief fire officer, Glenn Williams, acknowledged the aspect of social media, however it was not just the spectators who had phones but also the emergency service teams.