When firefighters and paramedics respond to an emergency, every second matters. Drivers can help emergency crews arrive quickly and safely by knowing what to do when they hear a siren or see flashing red lights.

California law requires drivers to yield to an approaching emergency vehicle using a siren and red warning light. Stay calm, check the traffic around you, safely move to the right-hand edge or curb, clear of any intersection, and come to a complete stop. Remain stopped until the emergency vehicle has passed.

When an Emergency Vehicle Approaches

• Signal, check your mirrors and blind spot, and move as far to the right as safely possible.
• Stop clear of intersections and wait until the emergency vehicle has passed.
• Do not stop suddenly or make an unsafe maneuver. Other drivers may also be trying to move over.
• Never follow closely behind an emergency vehicle or attempt to use the space it creates in traffic.
• Stay alert—additional emergency vehicles may be following.

If you are already stopped at an intersection, move to the right only when it is safe and legal to do so. Do not enter an intersection against a traffic signal. If you cannot move safely, remain in place and allow the emergency vehicle operator to navigate around traffic.

Approaching an Emergency Scene

Flashing lights on the roadside require a different response. When approaching a stationary emergency vehicle or active incident, move into a lane that is not immediately adjacent to the scene when it is safe and legal to do so. If a lane change is not possible, slow to a reasonable and prudent speed for the conditions.

Watch for firefighters, paramedics, law enforcement officers, patients, equipment and vehicles moving near the roadway. Avoid distractions and do not stop to take photos or videos.

Pedestrians should move to the nearest curb or another safe location and remain there until all emergency vehicles have passed. Keep children close, as more apparatus may be approaching behind the first vehicle.

Your safe, predictable actions help protect first responders, patients and everyone on the road. Hear a siren? Pull to the right and stop—because every second counts.

Sources: California Vehicle Code Section 21806 and California Vehicle Code Section 21809