What to do when you encounter an emergency vehicle.

Emergency vehicles get the highest priority on the roads here in the UK. Giving way could help save lives so make sure to read the following information and take the appropriate measures whenever you hear or see an emergency vehicle.

The Highway Code states in rule 29: Emergency vehicles; if an ambulance, fire engine, police or other emergency vehicle approaches using flashing blue lights, headlights and/or sirens, keep off the road.

It should be fairly easy to judge the route of these vehicles. Take the appropriate action to let it pass, while complying with any traffic signs. If you feel it is necessary, pull over and stop your car but be careful where you pull over as it can be dangerous to stop just below the brow of a hill or half way round a corner.

Also remember that you aren’t required to pull over NOW, you are required to find a safe place. Don’t break the law to do it, if you are at traffic lights DO NOT drive through a red light just to make room, this could make the situation worse. Emergency vehicles must treat traffic lights like junctions, they must give way to oncoming traffic. If you want to give way to them, check behind you first.

Do not damage your car, you don’t need to mount the kerb to give them room, remember it’s a safe place for you, them and others.

If an emergency vehicle approaches using flashing blue lights, headlights and/or sirens, follow these tips to help it to get through safely:
• Look and listen.
• Use the indicators to signal what you are going to do.
• Pull in safely, as far as you can to let the vehicle pass.
• Always keep an eye out for other emergency vehicles, quite often more than one emergency will be travelling along the same route.