What Should You Do?
Check Your Mirrors
The moment you hear a siren or see flashing lights:
- Check your mirrors.
- Identify where the vehicle is.
- Determine where it is likely to go.
Do not focus entirely on the emergency vehicle.
You must also monitor:
- Vehicles around you
- Cyclists
- Motorcyclists
- Pedestrians
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Create Space
If possible:
- Move slightly left.
- Move slightly right if appropriate.
- Leave a clear route through traffic.
Sometimes a small movement is all that is required.
You do not always need to stop completely.
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Stop If Necessary
The Highway Code advises drivers to pull over and stop if necessary to allow emergency vehicles to pass.
Choose a safe location such as:
- A lay-by
- A wide section of road
- A parking lane
- The side of the carriageway
Avoid stopping:
- On blind bends
- Before the crest of a hill
- In narrow sections of road
- In dangerous locations
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What Must You Never Do?
This is where many well-meaning drivers accidentally break the law.
DO NOT DRIVE THROUGH A RED LIGHT ! ! !
One of the most common myths for the UK is that you may drive through a red traffic signal to allow an ambulance or police car to pass. Be aware that in some European countries it is allowed to carefully drive through a red light and give way to the emergency vehicle.
You must not.
If the traffic light is red, it remains red for you.
The emergency vehicle driver may have legal exemptions.
You do not.
Many drivers have received penalty notices after crossing stop lines while attempting to help emergency vehicles.
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Do Not Mount the Kerb
The Highway Code specifically advises drivers to avoid mounting the kerb.
Apart from being dangerous, it can place pedestrians at risk.
Again, be aware that this is legal, as long as careful and in walking speed performed, in some European countries like Germany.
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Do Not Brake Suddenly
Imagine approaching a roundabout.
You hear a siren.
You slam on the brakes.
The driver behind you has not yet heard the siren.
You now have two emergencies instead of one.
The Highway Code specifically warns against harsh braking when emergency vehicles approach junctions and roundabouts.
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Do Not Race the Emergency Vehicle
It sounds ridiculous.
Yet it happens.
Some drivers speed up instead of making space.
Others try to “stay ahead” of the ambulance.
DON’T do this.
Move predictably and allow trained emergency drivers to make progress.