Legally, are you supposed to pull to the side of the road when an emergency vehicle has its sirens on?

[jamies]

Originally Posted by wit-nit

Slc964 the Sunshine State is Florida, this is the Arizona forum the Grand Canyon State. Are you confusing the 2.

Even though WE get more sunshine than Florida. It should be named the swamp state.

Yes, pull over. Then after they pass get right behind them and you won't have any traffic.

[johnp292]

Originally Posted by jamies

Even though WE get more sunshine than Florida. It should be named the swamp state.

Yes, pull over. Then after they pass get right behind them and you won't have any traffic.

I was an EMT for almost 20 years. This is an extremely dangerous thing to do. Drivers do not expect another vehicle to be behind an EV and will, as you just suggested, pull back into their lane as soon as it passes. If you're there you might get hit.

Following the EV closely is also dangerous. You can't see around it, don't know what it's going to pass or when it may need to brake or turn suddenly.

I've had idiots tailgate the ambulance. I used to radio for a cop to get them off my butt or I'd even stop safely because this is so dangerous.

[johnp292]

Originally Posted by azsportpilot

this varies from state to state

like most laws, there are 50 different versions

The laws may vary, but I doubt there is a single state that does not have a law of some type that requires drivers to pull over AND STOP for an emergency vehicle.

Note the "AND STOP" part. Pulling over and still moving creates a dangerous condition for both you and the EV.

[509]

It depends.

In rural areas, I slow down and pull to the right. I always make sure that the emergency vehicle has plenty of manuvering room. In rural areas, I feel uncomfortable stopping when the normal speed is 70mph on the roadway. I also always turn on my flashers or turn signal so the emergency vehicles knows I am aware of them.

In urban areas, I pull over and stop. I also wait since many times in urban areas emergency vehicles come in two's and three's.

Not sure what the law really is....but the important part is to be sure the emergency vehicle can get pass you quickly and safely.

[nightnurse613]

I would add that, when you are slowing down and pulling over, if you have the presence of mind, DO NOT stop right in the middle of an adjoining side road. The concept is to allow the emergency vehicle to get to its destination as quickly and safely as possible - it makes it more difficult for emergency vehicles to access a side street if your car is stopped in the middle - blocking access.

[rich67]

Originally Posted by Slc964

I moved to the Sunshine State from Pennsylvania and even the local police cannot show me a law or statute stating that when an emergency vehicle is coming toward you on a two lane road you must pull off the road and stop. The drivers training manual says that you must yield but it doesn't elaborate. I think it is dangerous to pull off the road....especially at night. I am still researching this issue. This is not an issue in Pennsylvania where I have been a licensed driver for almost 50 years. Wouldn't you think it would be the same nation wide???

Statutes & Constitution :View Statutes : Online Sunshine
When it says "yield the right of way" I interpret that to mean if the emergency vehicle has a "right of way" in the lane it is traveling, or turning into an intersection, just like any other vehicular traffic traveling on the roadway, then you should be stopped to allow it that right of way. Now, if it is a two lane road, separated by a double yellow, I would venture to guess the NORMAL vehicle does NOT have a right of way, since it would never travel on the wrong way legally. HOWEVER, an emergency vehicle IS authorized to travel the wrong way on a roadway if need be, so if you are traveling in the opposite direction and it is having to come into your lane to go around other cars that have not properly yielded, then you are obligated to yield. It is dangerous to pull off the road-you're right.

[elkotronics]

Depends on your driving skill. It does not have ta be dangerous ta pull off the road. Any road - even a freeway with a skinny shoulder. No one should ever block an emergency vehicle. If you've got your Aerosmith blaring so loud that you can't hear the siren (s) then you should have learned when you were learning how to drive that you have to be constantly checking your mirrors. If you are constantly checking your mirrors you'll see the lights lit up on the emergency vehicle even a mile behind you and you'll get your butt off the road to create a clear path for them ta get by you safely. Do it. What if it was you who needed the emergency attention? Wouldn't you want a good, quick response? Of course you would.


Unless you're suicidal.