Emergency Vehicles: Above The Law?

Emergency vehicles are those designated and authorized to respond to an emergency, such as police cars, ambulances, and fire engines. While emergency vehicles are exempt from certain traffic regulations and speed limits, they cannot force other drivers to break the law. In fact, other drivers can be fined for giving way to an emergency vehicle if they do not follow road rules. For example, entering a bus lane, stopping in a yellow box junction, or driving through a red light to let an emergency vehicle pass can result in a fine of up to £1,000 and three penalty points on a driver's license.

Can emergency vehicles break the law?

Emergency vehicles can break the speed limit

Emergency vehicles are defined as any vehicle designated and authorized to respond to an emergency. This includes police cars, ambulances, and fire engines, which are considered the frontline vehicles for emergency services. These vehicles are often driven at high speeds and are equipped with sirens and flashing blue lights on the roof.

While emergency vehicles are exempt from certain traffic regulations, it is important to note that drivers of these vehicles are not exempt from the offenses of dangerous and careless driving. The current legislation in the UK allows emergency vehicle drivers to break speed limits legally under specific circumstances. This exemption is also extended to the Serious Organized Crime Agency and the UK Fire Service.

It is worth mentioning that the government is consulting on amending the Road Traffic Regulation Act 1984 to make any legal exemption dependent on drivers attaining core competencies outlined in the emergency services' code of practice. This code of practice is based on current best practices and reflects the mandatory training courses for emergency vehicle drivers.

When encountering an emergency vehicle, road laws still apply, and drivers are expected to comply with relevant road signs and rules. For example, while you should pull over to let an emergency vehicle pass, you should not endanger yourself, other road users, or pedestrians. Additionally, you should avoid mounting the kerb or braking harshly when approaching a junction or roundabout.

They can cross a solid white line in the middle of the road

Emergency vehicles can break the law in certain situations. For example, in the case of an emergency, a person may drive a vehicle on a controlled-access highway, even if it involves crossing a solid white line that separates an entrance or exit lane from a marked traffic lane. This is specified in various state driving manuals, including New York's and Nevada's.

While it is generally discouraged and may be considered reckless or careless driving, crossing a single solid white line is not illegal in the United States. This is true for all states, including Colorado, which adheres to the Federal Highway Administration's Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices (MUTCD). The MUTCD provides national standards for roadway markings, and while it discourages crossing single solid white lines, it does not prohibit the act.

In some cases, drivers of emergency vehicles may be exempt from obeying traffic control devices, including pavement markings, if directed by a police officer or in an emergency situation. This is supported by the Colorado Revised Statutes, which state that drivers of authorized emergency vehicles are granted exceptions to obeying official traffic control devices.

Therefore, while it is generally discouraged, emergency vehicles can cross a solid white line in the middle of the road if necessary during an emergency situation.

They must still comply with traffic signs

While emergency vehicles are equipped with sirens and flashing lights to help them navigate through traffic, it is important to remember that they are still subject to traffic laws and regulations. In the UK, emergency vehicles are defined as any vehicle designated and authorized to respond to an emergency, typically including police cars, ambulances, and fire engines.

When encountering an emergency vehicle, drivers are expected to remain calm and comply with relevant road signs and traffic regulations. Rule 219 of the Highway Code states that drivers should "look and listen" for emergency vehicles and "take appropriate action to let them pass while complying with all traffic signs." This means that while you should make a reasonable effort to get out of the way of an emergency vehicle, you must do so without breaking any traffic laws. For example, you should not drive through a red light, enter a bus lane, or stop in a yellow box junction, as these actions could result in a hefty fine.

It is worth noting that emergency service drivers are also subject to specific laws and training. While they are granted certain exemptions, such as speed limit exemptions and the ability to cross solid white lines in some cases, they are not exempt from the offences of dangerous and careless driving. The current legislation in the UK allows emergency vehicle drivers to break speed limits and exempts them from certain traffic regulations under specific circumstances. However, they are still expected to adhere to traffic laws and not endanger other road users or pedestrians.

In summary, while it is important to yield to emergency vehicles and allow them to pass, both drivers of regular vehicles and emergency vehicles must comply with traffic signs and regulations. Failing to do so can result in fines and other legal consequences. By following the rules and staying calm, drivers can help ensure the safe and efficient passage of emergency vehicles while also maintaining their own safety and that of other road users.

They can't force other drivers to break the law

While emergency vehicles are exempt from certain traffic laws, other drivers on the road are not permitted to break the law when attempting to get out of their way. For example, if you are stopped at a red light and an emergency vehicle is behind you, you should not go through the intersection against the red light to make way for them. Instead, you may only be able to move a little forward and to your right.

Similarly, if you are driving on a multi-lane road or highway, you must vacate the lane closest to the emergency vehicle as soon as it is safe to do so. If you are unable to move over safely, you must slow down to a speed of 20 mph below the posted speed limit unless directed otherwise by a law enforcement officer. However, you must not stop in the roadway or block the flow of traffic.

In some states, you are only required to slow down as you approach emergency vehicles. However, moving over as much as possible is ideal to prevent a collision. Move over laws apply to any type of assistance vehicle, including tow trucks. Even if there are no emergency personnel present, you should try to slow down and move over if you see a wrecker on the side of the road.

It is also important to note that you should never try to outrun an emergency vehicle or follow it too closely. If an emergency vehicle is approaching you from behind, slow down, use your turn signal, and get over to the right-hand side of the road as far as possible. Come to a complete stop and wait until all emergency vehicles have passed before merging back onto the road when it is safe.

Drivers can be fined for moving out of their way

When an ambulance, police car, or fire engine approaches, most drivers' first instinct is to get out of the way as quickly as possible. However, in the UK, road laws still apply when encountering an emergency vehicle, and you must continue to comply with all traffic signs. This means that you could be fined for taking certain actions to let an emergency vehicle pass, such as entering a bus lane, stopping in a yellow box junction, or driving through a red traffic light.

While you should assist emergency vehicles where possible, you must do so in a way that does not endanger other road users or pedestrians. For example, you should avoid mounting the kerb or braking harshly on the approach to a junction or roundabout, as a following vehicle may not have the same view as you. Even if you are trying to let an emergency vehicle pass, you will still be liable for any offences committed. Fines for minor offences such as entering a bus lane may be waived, but you could still be hit with a heavy fine for more serious offences, such as jumping a red light.

In the UK, emergency vehicles are usually equipped with a siren and flashing blue lights on the roof. When an emergency vehicle is using its siren and lights, this indicates that it needs to be visible to other drivers for safety reasons or that it is responding to an emergency. In these situations, emergency vehicles are granted certain exemptions to the law, such as the ability to disobey speed limits and cross solid white lines in the middle of the road. However, emergency service drivers are not exempt from the offences of dangerous and careless driving.

If you encounter an emergency vehicle, Rule 219 of the Highway Code states that you should look and listen for ambulances, fire engines, police, doctors, or other emergency vehicles using flashing blue, red, or green lights and sirens or flashing headlights. You should then consider the route of the vehicle and take appropriate action to let it pass while complying with all traffic signs. If necessary, you can pull to the side of the road and stop, but try to avoid stopping before the brow of a hill, a bend, or a narrow section of the road. Remember, it is important to remain calm and not panic when an emergency vehicle approaches.

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