What You Need to Know About Sharing the Road with Emergency Vehicles
At any given moment we may share the road with a wide variety of things; Cars, 18 wheelers, tow trucks, animals, cyclist, emergency vehicles and more. How we drive must change based on this. Adjusting our driving to who we share the road with is just as important as adjusting our driving to adverse weather conditions. It is equally as important to know how to handle the common situation of sharing the road with an emergency vehicle. Do you know what to do when an emergency vehicle approaches? Let’s delve a little deeper into answering that question later.
First things first.
What is Considered an Emergency Vehicle?
- Police
- Fire
- Ambulance
- Military
So, What Should You Do?
I bet you’re thinking, “Run the red.” Not quite. When being approached by an emergency vehicle using audible and visual signals (lights and/or sirens), law requires motorists to immediately pull to the right side of the road and allow the emergency vehicle to pass. In some cases, a complete stop may be necessary to allow the emergency vehicle to pass. If already stopped at an intersection, remain stopped until the emergency vehicle passes. Emergency vehicles always have the right of way. Never follow an emergency vehicle or worse yet, try to pass one. Doing so could result in harm to yourself, others, and fines. On the other hand, if an emergency vehicle does not have its lights and sirens on, you do not treat it any differently than you would any other vehicle.
Quick Tips to Ensure Your Safety
- Listen and stay alert: Remain focused on the road at all times by not engaging in distracted driving. Use your mirrors to view oncoming vehicles.
- Proceed with caution: Pull to the right side of the road and do so swiftly, but cautiously.
- Resume entry slowly: Use your turn signal! Slowly merge back onto the road or highway while checking your surroundings for others.
Encountering Stationary Emergency Vehicles
In addition, there will be times when you encounter emergency vehicles parked on the side of the road, in an intersection, or otherwise obstructing traffic to varying degrees. Scott’s Law states how a driver should handle this situation. When approaching a stationary emergency vehicle using visual signals, yield, change to a lane away from the emergency vehicle, and proceed with caution. If a lane change is not possible, reduce speed and proceed with caution.
Scott’s Law was passed in honor of Scott Gillen of the Chicago Fire Department, who was struck and killed by a drunk driver while assisting at a crash on the Dan Ryan Expressway. A person in violation of Scott’s Law could be fined up to $10,000. The penalty is much worse if the person who committed the offense was under the influence of alcohol, drugs or intoxicating compounds at the time of the violation. If under the influence at the time of the violation, the driver would face suspension of drivers license from 90 days up to 2 years based on the severity of the situation or damage incurred.
The Takeaway
Stay vigilant, prepared, and always remember to pull to the right when emergency vehicles approach. As a motorist, it is our responsibility to operate vehicles safely and in a sensible manner. Consider taking an online refresher driving course to stay current with law changes and best driving practices.
Interested in learning more? Click here to check out our full list of Top Driver safe driving tips.
Frequently asked questions
What should you do when an emergency vehicle approaches with lights and sirens?
When a police car, fire truck, ambulance, or military vehicle approaches using lights and sirens, the law requires you to immediately pull to the right side of the road and stop until the vehicle passes. If you are already stopped at an intersection, stay put until the emergency vehicle has cleared. Emergency vehicles always have the right of way. Never follow an emergency vehicle to take advantage of the cleared traffic, and never try to pass one, since first responders may need to stop or change lanes suddenly. After it passes, use your turn signal, check your mirrors and blind spots, and merge back into traffic carefully.
What counts as an emergency vehicle?
Emergency vehicles include police cars, fire trucks, ambulances, and military vehicles when they are using audible and visual signals (lights and sirens). Tow trucks, utility trucks, and highway maintenance vehicles are not emergency vehicles in the traditional sense, but most states extend Move Over laws to cover them as well when they are stopped with flashing lights. If an emergency vehicle does not have its lights or sirens on, treat it like any other vehicle on the road. The legal duty to yield only applies when the signals are active.
What is Scott's Law in Illinois?
Scott's Law, also known as Illinois' Move Over Law, requires drivers approaching a stationary emergency vehicle using visual signals to yield, change lanes away from the emergency vehicle, and proceed with caution. If a lane change is not safe or possible, you must reduce speed and pass carefully. The law is named for Scott Gillen, a Chicago Fire Department firefighter who was struck and killed by a drunk driver while assisting at a crash on the Dan Ryan Expressway. Violators can face fines up to $10,000. If the violation involved alcohol or drugs, the driver also faces license suspension from 90 days up to 2 years depending on the severity.
Can you go through a red light to get out of the way of an emergency vehicle?
No. Running a red light or stop sign is dangerous and illegal even when you are trying to make room for emergency responders. The proper response is to stay in your lane until you can safely pull to the right within your current lane or move slowly through the intersection if it is clear. If you are already stopped at a red light, stay stopped until the emergency vehicle has passed. First responders are trained to navigate around stopped traffic. Drivers who panic and run lights cause more secondary crashes than they prevent.
How should you merge back into traffic after pulling over for an emergency vehicle?
Once the emergency vehicle has passed and traffic begins moving again, do not jump back into your lane immediately. Other emergency vehicles often follow in convoy, so wait several seconds and listen for additional sirens. Activate your turn signal, check your mirrors and blind spots carefully, and merge back into traffic at a speed that matches the flow. Watch out for other drivers who may pull out abruptly or speed up to make up time. Stay alert in case the emergency scene is just ahead and traffic patterns are still adjusting.
What is the penalty for not yielding to an emergency vehicle in Illinois?
Failing to yield to an emergency vehicle in Illinois can result in fines, license suspension, and points on your driving record. Violations of Scott's Law (failure to slow down or move over for a stationary emergency vehicle) carry fines up to $10,000. If the violation results in injury or death to a first responder, drivers face mandatory license suspension and potential criminal charges. If alcohol or drugs are involved, the suspension runs 90 days up to 2 years. Beyond the legal penalties, hitting an emergency responder can carry civil liability and a lifetime of guilt, which is reason enough to slow down and move over.
