I agree with Shootingstar, while it is a noble profession, there are abuses.

I remember reading an article a few years ago about how some New York City firefighters, rushing through traffic with sirens blaring, had hit and killed a pedestrian. Turns out they we on their way across town to pick up a pizza.

I've had my fair share of run-ins with drivers who get annoyed because they have to move over a bit to accommodate cyclists. My favorite expression is "You own a car, not the road"