How To Share The Road with Emergency Vehicles

When you see flashing lights of emergency vehicles in your rear-view mirror or hear sirens getting close, it is essential to know how to react. Emergency responders put their lives on the line for us every day, and we need to be ready to help them get where they need to go as safely as possible.

Whether you are a new driver or you’ve been behind the wheel for years, it’s always a good idea to freshen up on the rules of the road. Remember to stay calm and familiarize yourself with what to do in an emergency vehicle situation. Most importantly, avoid any distractions that can cause you to miss the alert of an emergency vehicle coming.

Pull Over

If an emergency vehicle approaches you with lights flashing or sirens engaged, pull over to the right side of the road when it is safe to do so.

Do Not Enter The Intersection

When an emergency vehicle has its lights or sirens engaged, they have the right of way even if you have a green light. Always wait to enter the intersection until the emergency vehicle has gone through. When proceeding, always go slow and be aware of any additional emergency vehicles.

These rules also apply when interacting with emergency vehicles on the highway.

Slow Down To 60km/hr

If you see an emergency vehicle is stopped at the side of the road with its lights flashing, you need to slow to 60 km/hr unless you’re driving on the opposite side of a divided highway. The same rule applies to tow trucks and other service vehicles at the side of the highway with amber or amber and blue lights flashing.

When on the road, it’s essential to be aware of the other vehicles around you. Always keep an eye out for any flashing lights and have your stereo volume low enough so you can hear approaching sirens.

To read more, check out SGI’s Driver’s Handbook.