Dealing with Emergency Vehicles while driving

From time to time we are going to have look at dealing with emergency vehicles passing us while we are driving. We do not want to hold them up and make it as easy for them to pass us.

With this in mind my first concern would be NOT TO PANIC. If you are driving in a safe manner you will become aware of well before they get to you so you can start to plan how you are going to make it easier for them to pass you.

When Dealing with Emergency Vehicles approaches using flashing blue lights, headlights and/or sirens, try following these tips to help it to get through safely:

• Look and listen. Plan how you can let them through safely.
• Watch out what the other road users are doing.
• Signal your intentions by using your indicators or hand signals.
• Pull over safely and be aware of pedestrians, cyclists and other vehicles around you.
• Pull over as far as you can.
• Leave a gap large enough for the emergency vehicle to get through.
• Stay alert – more vehicles may be coming.
  • Do not cross over the stop line at a Red Traffic Light. It can be dangerous & lead you into a situation with the police for breaking the law.
  • Stay calm.
  • If you’re a pedestrian, keep off the road.

All vehicles on both sides of the road should slow down or even stop to leave a clear path, but do not endanger other road users. Don’t stop in the middle of a junction. (If you’re blocking the path of the emergency vehicle, you may have to turn the corner to get out of the way.)

The Highway Code Rule 219 says: – Dealing with Emergency Vehicles. You should look and listen for ambulances, fire engines, police, doctors or other emergency vehicles using flashing blue, red or green lights and sirens or flashing headlights, or Highways Agency Traffic Officer and Incident Support vehicles using flashing amber lights. When one approach do not panic. Consider the route of such a vehicle and take appropriate action to let it pass, while complying with all traffic signs. If necessary, pull to the side of the road and stop, but try to avoid stopping before the brow of a hill, a bend or narrow section of road. Do not endanger yourself, other road users or pedestrians and avoid mounting the kerb. Do not brake harshly on approach to a junction or roundabout, as a following vehicle may not have the same view as you.

Here is a list of some of the types of emergency vehicles you could encounter when Dealing with Emergency Vehicles

Different types of emergency vehicles include:- 

• Police
• Fire
• Ambulance Services
• Mines Rescue Service
• Mountain Rescue Teams
• Coastguard Service
• Bomb Disposal Teams
• National Blood Service
• Human Tissue for Transport Vehicles
• Life Boat Launching Vehicles

Below is a Video explaining what can happen when dealing with the emergency vehicles please feel free to watch it so you can learn more.