Lights & Siren

Lights & sirens

Go Right For
Lights and Siren!

Every day, emergency vehicles respond to urgent requests for service from the public. The call may be for an armed holdup in progress, a baby that stopped breathing, or a fire alarm. Minimum response time by emergency services is absolutely essential. Precious minutes lost while on route to an emergency could be the difference between life and death.

It is the concern of all Emergency Services that response time for services be minimized. To accomplish this end, extremely sophisticated communications systems are in place, emergency vehicles are better equipped and the training of emergency service personnel is continually being upgraded.

The biggest problem is getting emergency vehicles to a scene of an emergency ... especially in densely populated urban centers . . . and during peak traffic periods. All drivers must know their responsibilities when approached by an emergency vehicle with its red lights flashing or siren sounding.

This information conveys some traffic situations encountered by emergency vehicles and informs drivers what to do in that situation.

First, let's look at the law as it applies under the Ohio Motor Vehicle Law which states what a driver is required to do.

4511.45 Right-of-way of public safety vehicles

Upon the approach of a public safety vehicle, equipped with at least one flashing, rotation or oscillating light visible under normal atmospheric conditions from a distance of five hundred feet to the front of such vehicle and the driver is giving audible signal by siren, exhaust whistle, or bell, the driver of every other vehicle shall yield the right of way, immediately drive to a position parallel to, and as close as possible to, the right edge or curb of the highway clear of any intersection, and stop and remain in such position until the public safety vehicle has passed, except when otherwise directed by a police officer.

Situation No.1

HEAVY RUSH HOUR TRAFFIC

In heavy traffic, motorists in the right hand lane must pull as close to the curb as possible with motorists in the left hand lane pulling as close as possible to them. The law states that traffic in both directions must pull to the right and stop. When they do, there is room for the emergency vehicle to pass safely.

Situation No. 2

TURNING LEFT IN FRONT OF EMERGENCY VEHICLES

Motorists are obligated by law to check what is happening behind them before making a left turn. Left turns must always be aborted if an emergency vehicle is approaching from behind. The motorist should usually proceed straight through the intersection, then pull to the right and stop.

The motorist must abort the left turn, by pulling to the right and stopping, being sure, of course, not to block the intersection.

Situation No.3

BLOCKING AN INTERSECTION

When motorists see an emergency vehicle approaching, they pull to the right and stop before they get to the intersection. They do not turn or go until they are sure all emergency vehicles have passed.

Traffic in both directions must yield to an emergency vehicle. This is critical at intersections . Motorists should pull to the right and stop before they get to the intersection--and must always yield to an oncoming emergency vehicle making a left turn.

Situation No. 4

EMERGENCY VEHICLES LEAVING THEIR STATIONS

The law requires you to pull to the right and yield to an emergency vehicle, even before it gets on the road. Be alert. When you see that a fire truck or ambulance is coming out of its station, pull to the right and stop.

PEDESTRIANS

Pedestrians are also required to get out of the way for an emergency vehicle. If, as a pedestrian, you are already on the road, get off the road as soon as possible.

If you are about to cross and you see or hear an emergency vehicle approaching, don't go on the road--stay on the sidewalk until the emergency vehicle has passed.

Ohio Department of Highway Safety Public information
240 Parsons Avenue P.O. Box 7167
Columbus, Ohio 43266-0563