How to Yield to Emergency Vehicles?
3 Answers
When encountering emergency vehicles such as ambulances and fire trucks performing urgent tasks during daily driving, drivers should promptly yield. However, in practice, some drivers report a lack of actionable guidelines on how to properly yield to emergency vehicles like ambulances and fire trucks, leading to varied yielding measures and failure to promptly clear a path. The methods for yielding to emergency vehicles are as follows: Turn 45 degrees or at a relevant angle to the left or right front: In congested lanes, vehicles can turn 45 degrees or at a relevant angle to their left or right front, creating space in the middle for emergency vehicles to pass. Yield to oncoming emergency vehicles by slowing down and stopping in advance: When encountering an oncoming emergency vehicle and there is no physical barrier at the center of the road, drivers should slow down and observe. If the emergency vehicle intends to turn left or use the driver's lane, the driver should stop and let the emergency vehicle proceed first. Yield to emergency vehicles approaching from behind by signaling and changing lanes: On the same road section, when driving ahead of an emergency vehicle in the same direction, if vehicles in all lanes can proceed normally, drivers should not change lanes left or right but instead slow down to allow the emergency vehicle to pass quickly. If all lanes are queued up or there is traffic congestion, and the emergency vehicle is in the same lane behind, the driver should activate the turn signal and change lanes to the left or right to yield. Yield on a single lane by pulling over and stopping: On a road section with only one lane, when driving ahead of an emergency vehicle in the same direction, the driver ahead should accelerate to pass if possible. If conditions permit, the driver should pull over and stop to yield. If there is an emergency lane, drivers must not use it for regular driving. Yield at traffic light intersections by pulling over: When waiting at a red light, vehicles in the same lane should, while ensuring pedestrian safety, proceed past the stop line one by one and then pull over to the right or left to yield to emergency vehicles.
I've been driving for ride-hailing services for over a decade, and yielding to emergency vehicles requires proper technique. When you hear sirens, immediately look for gaps. At red lights in intersections, even if it means changing lanes or crossing lines, make way for ambulances and fire trucks—you can usually appeal the ticket afterward. On city roads, slow down and move right; don’t hesitate or brake suddenly to avoid rear-end collisions. On elevated roads or one-way streets, use the emergency lane or pull over at a junction. Remember, yielding must be decisive but safety comes first. Last week, I hugged a bridge pillar to let a fire truck pass—my rearview mirror showed it scraping my bumper, and my palms were sweaty, but it was worth it. Giving way to emergency vehicles is a legal duty; 30 seconds could save a life.
When delivering food on an electric bike and encountering a fire truck, immediately turn right into the auxiliary lane. The key to yielding to emergency vehicles is creating passage space. In traffic jams, all vehicles should move aside like a zipper to both sides. Motorcycles and electric bikes should avoid squeezing between cars; it's safer to cross solid lines or go onto sidewalks. Last time I saw an ambulance stuck in traffic, seven or eight cars turned 45 degrees simultaneously, clearing a path in half a minute. When yielding, don’t just focus on dodging yourself—observe the overall traffic flow trend.
