Law Enforcement and Emergency Vehicles on the road

As summer sizzles on we are sure to see more people on the road including law enforcement and emergency vehicles. You must yield the right-of-way to a police car, fire engine, ambulance, or other emergency vehicle using an audible or visual signal such as flashing lights, bells, or sirens. Pull as close to the right edge of the road as possible and stop until the emergency vehicle has passed or the lane becomes clear to travel. However, do not stop in an intersection. Continue through the intersection and then pull to the right as soon as you can.

In the event that traffic is so congested that you can’t safely get to the right edge of the road, slow down and leave a clear path for the emergency vehicle. Sometimes emergency vehicles will use the wrong side of the street to continue on their way. They may also use a loud speaker to talk to drivers blocking their path.

It is against the law to follow within 500 feet of any emergency vehicle that is answering an emergency call. Never drive to the scene of a fire, a collision, or any other disaster just to have a look. By loitering at a disaster scene you might interfere with the essential services of police, fire fighters, ambulance crews, or other rescue or emergency personnel.

You should not drive over unprotected fire hoses in the road.

To learn more helpful driver safety tips or discounts for auto insurance take a state approved defensive driving course at ddo.vertex.com.