Driving in traffic – emergency vehicles

Ambulances, fire engines and police cars need to get to emergency situations fast. It’s important that you move out of the way as soon as possible so they can get past.

Making way on different types of roads

Single-lane road

Indicate and pull over to the side of the road to wait for the emergency vehicle to pass.

Multi-lane road

Slow down and get into the left lane so the emergency vehicle can pass in the right lane. If you’re already in the left lane, just stay there.

Multi-lane road with congested traffic blocking both lanes

If you’re in the left lane, pull over as far to the left as possible. If you’re in the right lane pull over as far to the right as possible. If all the traffic does this it’ll create a gap in the middle for the emergency vehicle to get through.

Making way for an emergency vehicle

• If you can hear sirens but can’t tell where they’re coming from, pull over in a safe place and wait at the side of the road.
• If it’s not safe to stop, slow down and keep as far left as you can. This will give you time to figure out where the emergency vehicle is coming from.
• Once the emergency vehicle has passed, check the road is clear before you pull back out into traffic.

Important to know

Not making room for an emergency vehicle can result in a $150 fine, as well as possibly putting someone’s life at risk.

If a police car is following you with its siren or flashing lights on, you must pull over and stop as soon as possible. If you don’t stop it can lead to heavy penalties. You could:

• receive 35 demerit points
• be arrested
• have your car impounded
• receive a fine of up to $10,000 (if convicted).

In some cases you could even be disqualified for driving.