Emergency Vehicle Lights? Pull over and STOP

Emergency Vehicle Lights? Pull over and STOP

When you see an emergency vehicle headed your way with lights flashing, are you wise enough to pull over and STOP? It doesn’t matter if they’re coming toward you or going the same direction as you. That ambulance, fire truck or police car is probably headed off to save lives!

From the California DMV’s Driver Handbook:

Emergency Vehicles

You must yield the right-of-way to any police vehicle, fire engine, ambulance, or other emergency vehicle using a siren and red lights. Drive to the right edge of the road and stop until the emergency vehicle(s) have passed. However, never stop in an intersection. If you are in an intersection when you see an emergency vehicle, continue through the intersection and then, drive to the right as soon as it is safe and stop. Emergency vehicles often use the wrong side of the street to continue on their way. They sometimes use a loudspeaker to talk to drivers blocking their path.

light flashing, pull overYield to Emergency Vehicles

You must obey any traffic direction, order, or signal given by a traffic or peace officer, or a firefighter even if it conflicts with existing signs, signals, or laws.

It is against the law to follow within 300 feet behind any fire engine, police vehicle, ambulance, or other emergency vehicle with a siren or flashing lights (CVC §21706).

If you drive for sight-seeing purposes to the scene of a fire, collision, or other disaster, you may be arrested. Casual observers interfere with the essential services of police, firefighter, ambulance crews, or other rescue or emergency personnel. [DMV Handbook source]

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