Emergency vehicle etiquette

You hear the sirens blaring and see the emergency vehicle lights flashing in the rear vision mirror. You know you need to move, but which way?

No one wants to obstruct an emergency vehicle, but in the heat of the moment its easy to be confused about what to do. Or, if you’re not from WA, road etiquette may be different here than at home.

Here's the guide to the etiquette of letting emergency vehicles get past and on with the job they need to:

1. Always give way. This is the golden rule. You must make every reasonable effort, to give a clear passage to emergency vehicles - police, ambulance, fire trucks - when they are displaying a flashing red or blue light, or sounding an alarm.

2. Even when an emergency vehicle would normally have to give way to you, lights and sirens take precedence. You must give way.

If you see a vehicle, like this, with flashing lights, you must give way

3. Slow down, but don't brake suddenly. Use your indicators to let other drivers know which way you intend to move. Don’t move into the path of the emergency vehicle.

4. Keep left as the preferred option. If you’re travelling on a multi-lane road, move to the left as soon as you safely can. Drivers already on the left should make room for vehicles trying to move left.

5. If you’re driving on a single-lane road, pull over onto the road shoulder if you can. If not, stop and let the emergency vehicle move around you.

6. Don’t panic. Assess the situation and always make sure it’s safe before you change lanes, pull over, or stop.

7. Don’t break any road rules in giving way – it’s not okay to run a red light or break the speed limit.

If we all follow these simple rules, we can help WA emergency teams get to the scene quickly and safely so they can do what they do best.

Last updated September 2017