What to do when an emergency service vehicle approaches
You need to know what to do when you see an emergency vehicle. You must react quickly, safely and carefully to allow emergency service vehicles to pass.
It is important to be alert and attentive at all times. You should keep noise levels in your vehicle at a level that allows you to hear the sirens from emergency vehicles.
Be alert at intersections and observe your surroundings as emergency service vehicles may come from behind you or from a secondary road.
You should also leave plenty of space between you and the vehicle in front when stopped in traffic. This will give you room to manoeuvre your vehicle if, for example, you need to pull in to let the emergency service vehicles pass – something you cannot do if you are sandwiched between two vehicles in traffic.
Gardaí, fire fighters and ambulances save lives in the course of their work and every second counts when they are responding to an emergency.
When an emergency vehicle approaches:
Clear the way as soon as you can do so safely when you see the flashing lights or hear the sirens.
Never mount the kerb unless you absolutely have to and, even then, only if you are certain that there are no pedestrians there.
Check your rear mirror and both side mirrors to gauge the speed of the emergency vehicle and also look out for pedestrians, cyclists, motorcyclists and other road users. Indicate your intention to pull over. Pull over only in a place which has enough space for the emergency vehicle to pass you safely.
Stay there until the emergency vehicle has passed. Watch out for other emergency vehicles as there may be more than one.
Take the appropriate observations and then indicate that you are going to pull out again. When it is safe to do so, gradually merge back into traffic.