what to do if an ambulance is behind you

Blueish lights flashing away, the Doppler effect of the screeching sirens - it's all quite dramatic, and for expert reason. Simply the sight of a fire engine, police car or ambulance bearing down on you equally seen through the rear mirror is 1 that can send the heart racing.

The terminal thing anyone wants is to hold up the emergency services. Simply unless y'all know how to react, there'southward e'er a take chances that yous could become the problem.

One issue motorists confront is that emergency vehicles can announced from nowhere. At the same fourth dimension, other drivers might go wind of a police car hurtling at them at speed seconds earlier, creating confusion for those that haven't spied the oncoming problem.

For this reason, it makes sense to sympathise what the law requires of drivers.

What does the Highway Code say about emergency vehicles?

The Highway Code spells out exactly how you should react in the event that yous're faced with an emergency vehicle appearing on the scene.

The Highway Lawmaking sets out nicely what car users should do. But it'southward always worth remember the fact that an emergency vehicle is existence driven by someone who's under pressure.

You might think it helps to speed up and career along the route, cutting a path for them. In fact, the best affair you can do is deadening right down and movement over, so they can pass.

Function five of the Highway Code says:

"You should look and heed for ambulances, fire engines, police, doctors or other emergency vehicles using flashing blue, red or green lights and sirens or flashing headlights, or Highways Agency Traffic Officeholder and Incident Back up vehicles using flashing amber lights."

The Highway Code besides lays out the grade of action drivers should take when approached by an emergency vehicle:

• Don't panic

• Consider the route of the vehicle and let it pass

• Comply with all traffic signs

• If necessary, pull to the side of the road and stop

• Attempt to avoid stopping earlier the forehead of a hill, a bend or narrow section of road

• Don't endanger others by mounting the kerb.

• Don't restriction harshly on the approach to a junction or roundabout.

Other factors to consider when giving way to emergency vehicles

It sounds straightforward when you wait at information technology like that. But in the moment, things are rarely straightforward. So, here are some other tips to help you in sure circumstances:

Check your mirrors

If you hear a siren, bank check your mirrors. Information technology'southward not always clear where an emergency vehicle is until it's almost on top of you.

Lookout for tail lights ahead and for flashing blue lights behind y'all. If in dubiousness, slow down and pull over. This is a particularly sensible option if you lot're driving in a heavily congested area.

Junction box issue

Junctions are a pinch signal at the best of times, but be aware of pedestrians.

If you stop at a junction, pedestrians might not realise what's going on. Especially those engaging with their phones or with headphones plugged in.

They could step out into the path of the emergency vehicle. Slowing downwards ahead of the junction should requite even the most unaware of pedestrians interruption for thought.

Scene of the incident

If you find yourself at the scene of an incident, ensure you don't add to any problem by loitering or parking inconsiderately.

Ambulances and fire engines in particular take upward a lot of space on the road.  And firefighters might not balk at the prospect of 'bouncing' a poorly parked car out of the fashion.

If your car is clipped by an emergency vehicle responding to a 999 phone call you should exist covered by your machine insurance provider.

That'due south unless your machine is parked unlawfully, such every bit on double yellow lines. Drivers who rely on chance lights rather than parking properly are also unlikely to receive much sympathy from their insurer.

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Emergency vehicle FAQs

What to practice if yous hear a siren or are confronted with a fire engine, police car or ambulance rocketing toward you lot is a genuine business organisation. With this in mind, hither are some of the more than pertinent questions and answers that drivers seek:

Tin you jump a red light?

The answer is no. If y'all laissez passer through a red light, a yellow junction box or enter a charabanc lane you lot may well exist considered to have driven unlawfully and could face a fine and points on your licence. And points on your licence means your motorcar insurance costs could go upwardly.

Tin can y'all speed to help emergency vehicles?

No. Emergency vehicles respond to all style of incidents, including drivers who exceed the speed limit and crash, so your good intentions might just add to the trouble. Pull over, safely, rather than attempt to break the country speed record.

Should you apply the hard shoulder?

This isn't a good idea equally the emergency services might resort to the hard shoulder to by-pass traffic on motorways that are clogged up by an incident somewhere up the line. And if it'due south a smart motorway, that hard shoulder could disappear.

Should y'all pull up onto the pavement?

No. You might be moving besides fast to judge the stopping speed and could endanger pedestrians. Likewise, if you terminate on a corner, people and traffic ahead might non exist able to see the incoming emergency vehicle traffic. Just ho-hum down, stick your hazard lights on and wait until the blue lights pass.

What if I just don't know what to do?

You might be popping to the shops for a pint of milk or a loaf of bread, and suddenly all hell breaks loose. This is a singled-out possibility. Just bear in listen that the person behind the wheel of the ambulance, burn engine or police automobile is trained to drive under this level of pressure. Yous are not. All you demand to practise is safely pull over and permit them pass.

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