Sharing the road with emergency vehicles

In a crisis situation it’s imperative that emergency vehicles arrive as quickly as possible, but many are delayed by motorists who don’t yield the right of way.

"In some cases drivers don’t notice the emergency vehicle because they aren’t paying attention, or their car stereo is turned up too loud to hear the sirens," says Shannon Ell, SGI’s Supervisor of Traffic Safety Promotion. "Sometimes it’s because a driver may not know what they’re supposed to do when an emergency vehicle approaches."

Ell reminds motorists that all emergency vehicles (fire engines, police vehicles and ambulances) have the right of way when displaying flashing lights and using sirens, or when flashing lights alone are activated.

When approached by an emergency vehicle with its lights flashing or sirens engaged, drivers must immediately drive as closely as possible to the right edge of the roadway and not enter the next intersection until the emergency vehicle has passed. The only exception is if a peace officer gives other directions. On one-way streets, drivers should pull to the right or left – whichever is the nearest curb.

At an intersection, drivers must stop and let the emergency vehicle through the intersection. Even if a driver has a green light and the emergency vehicle is coming to a red light, the emergency vehicle has the right of way.

"Intersections are a particularly dangerous area for emergency vehicles," says Ell. "If a driver proceeds through an intersection because they don’t notice the emergency vehicle, or they don’t realize they should yield the right of way, there is potential for a serious collision."

These same rules also apply when meeting or being overtaken by an emergency vehicle on the highway. As well, when an emergency vehicle is stopped on the side of the highway with its lights flashing, drivers must slow to 60 km/h when passing, unless on the opposite side of a divided highway. Failure to slow to 60 km/h could result in a fine of at least $140.

Contact: Shannon Ell
Supervisor, Traffic Safety Promotion
SGI
Regina
(306) 775-6179

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