Sharing the roads safely with emergency vehicles
You could encounter an emergency vehicle at any time while on the road. It’s important that you know what to do as delaying emergency vehicles could cost lives.
If an emergency vehicle approaches using flashing blue lights, headlights and/or sirens, follow these tips to help it to get through safely:
- Look and listen.
- Signal your intentions by using your indicators or hand signals.
- Pull in safely and be aware of pedestrians, cyclists and other vehicles around you.
- Pull in as far as you can.
- Leave a gap large enough for the emergency vehicle to get through.
- Stay alert - more vehicles may be coming.
- Stay calm.
- If you’re a pedestrian, keep off the road.
- By following this advice drivers should be able to provide a clear passage for emergency vehicles without endangering themselves or other road users
Different types of emergency vehicles:
- 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
