What Drivers Can Do

As a driver or pedestrian is important you know what to do when being approached by an emergency vehicle. Here's a quick guide to help you make the right choice.

Heavy Traffic Motorists quite often refuse to pull to the right and stop because they are in heavy rush hour traffic. The emergency vehicle then becomes trapped behind them. In heavy traffic on an undivided roadway, motorists in both directions must pull as close to the right hand curb as possible, allowing the emergency vehicle to proceed through the centre. The law states that traffic in both directions must pull to the right and stop. When they do, there is room for the emergency vehicle to pass safely.

Turning Left in Front of Emergency Vehicles

By refusing to abort a left turn, a motorist can obstruct the path of an emergency vehicle. Some motorists even make left turns across the path of an emergency vehicle which is coming up from behind in what are normally the oncoming traffic lanes.

Motorists are obligated by law to check what is behind them before making a left turn. Left turns must always be aborted in an emergency vehicle is approaching from behind. The motorist should

actually proceed straight through the intersection, then pull to the right and stop.

Blocking an Intersection

Sometimes a motorist does pull to the right but blocks an intersection in doing so. Or they make a right turn when an emergency vehicle is coming from behind. The emergency vehicle needs to turn, but is now blocked.

When motorists see an emergency vehicle approaching, the should pull to the right and stop before they get to the intersection. They do not turn or go until they are sure all emergency vehicles have passed.

Also, emergency vehicles attempting to make a left turn are frequently blocked at busy intersections by oncoming motorists who fail to yield.

Traffic in both directions must yield to an emergency vehicle. This is critical at intersections. Motorists should put to the right and stop before they get to an intersection--and they must always yield to an oncoming emergency vehicle making a left turn.

Emergency Vehicles Leaving Their Stations

Motorists frequently fail to pull to the right and stop for fire trucks and ambulances that are trying to pull out of their stations. These few seconds can mean the difference between life and death in the case of an emergency.

The law requires you to pull to the right and yield to an emergency vehicle, even before it gets on the road. Be alert. When you see that a fire vehicle or ambulance is coming out of its station, pull to the right and stop.

Divided Roadways / One Way Traffic

Many times, in rush hour traffic, an emergency vehicle is blocked on a four-lane divided roadway. Drivers often don't pull over or, without thinking, pull over and completely block the shoulder. If all the lanes are blocked, the police car or ambulance can travel down the shoulder, but fire trucks because of their weight cannot use the shoulder.

The law states that on a one-way road, motorists can either pull to the right or left before stopping. Make your decision quickly, but use common sense. Keep the side open that the emergency vehicle is traveling on. If the emergency vehicle is a large fire truck, move to the right if you are in the traveling lane and move to the left if you are in the passing lane and allow the fire truck to pass down the middle.

Remember... don't pull clear to the right or left if that shoulder may be the ambulance or police car's only route. The intent of the law is to provide a clear path for the emergency vehicle.

Pedestrians

Pedestrians are also required to get out of the way for an emergency vehicle. If, as a pedestrian, you are already on the road, get off the road as soon as possible.

If you are about to cross and you see or hear an emergency vehicle approaching, don't go on the road --- stay on the sidewalk until the emergency vehicle has passed.