Right of way
An emergency vehicle comes up behind you
An ambulance is behind you with lights and siren on. What are you required to do?
An ambulance is behind you with lights and siren on. What are you required to do?
Emergency vehicle behind you: the rule
The rule
When an emergency vehicle approaches with its siren and emergency lights on, pull over to the right edge of the road, clear of any intersection, and stop until it has passed. Florida requires this for a siren alone or for blue or red lights alone.
The reasoning
Emergency drivers are trained to expect traffic to clear to the right, so predictability matters more than speed. Stopping in the middle of a lane or braking hard in front of them is what causes the collision.
The usual mistake
Stopping in the traffic lane rather than at the right edge, or stopping in an intersection. Clear the intersection first, then pull right and stop.
What the state codes require
California
For an authorized emergency vehicle sounding a siren and showing a red light, drive to the right edge or curb, clear of any intersection, and stop until it has passed.
Practice the California testFlorida
When an authorized emergency vehicle approaches with a siren sounding or blue or red lights showing, pull over parallel to and as close as reasonable to the closest edge of the curb, clear of any intersection, and stop until it has passed.
Practice the Florida testNew York
When an emergency vehicle approaches with a red light showing and a siren or other audible signal sounding, drive as close as possible to the right edge or curb, or to either edge of a one way road with three or more lanes, clear of any intersection, and stop until it has passed.
Practice the New York test