Emergency vehicles

By the end of this topic you can

• You can recognise an emergency vehicle approaching using mirrors and sound.
• You can move out of its path safely without panicking.
• You can slow down correctly when passing stopped emergency vehicles in your state.
• You can keep clear after it has passed.

What you need to know and understand

• You must give way to an emergency vehicle sounding a siren or showing flashing blue or red lights, and move out of its path as soon as it is safe.
• NSW: slow to 40 km/h when passing a stopped emergency vehicle with flashing blue or red lights where the limit is 80 km/h or less; on faster roads, slow down safely and move over a lane if you can.
• SA: slow to 25 km/h (or less) when passing a stationary emergency vehicle with flashing blue or red lights, and also when passing a stationary breakdown service vehicle, such as a tow truck, with flashing amber lights.
• Victoria, WA and Tasmania: pass stopped emergency vehicles with flashing lights at no more than 40 km/h; WA and Tasmania also include tow trucks and roadside assistance vehicles.
• Queensland, the ACT and the NT set their own rules, so check the current rule with the local transport agency.
• Do not follow an emergency vehicle closely to get through traffic.

When you hear a siren

1. Stay calm and check your mirrors to see where it is coming from.
2. Signal and move to the left if you can do it safely.
3. Slow down or stop if needed to let it pass.
4. If you are at red lights, stay where you are unless you can move out of the way safely.
5. After it passes, check for more emergency vehicles before moving on.

Passing a stopped emergency vehicle

Police, ambulance, fire and other emergency crews often work on the roadside with traffic passing close by. Slow down to the speed your state requires, give as much room as possible, and change lanes away from them if it is safe.

Rules can differ for roads divided by a median and for vehicles on the other side of the road, so learn your own state's version.

Common emergency vehicle situations

• At intersections: do not pull out until you know which way the vehicle is going.
• On freeways: move left where possible, but do not stop in a live lane.
• At roundabouts: give way and stay clear; do not enter if it is coming.
• In queues: leave space so vehicles can squeeze through.

Common mistakes

• Stopping suddenly in the middle of the road without checking mirrors.
• Running a red light in panic without checking it is safe.
• Passing a roadside crash scene at full speed.
• Following the emergency vehicle through the gap it creates.

Test yourself: Emergency vehicles

Answer each question, then read the explanation. Questions come in a random order each time.

Go deeper

• Emergency Vehicle Slow Down Rules in Each Australian State
• Give Way Rules in Australia
• Roundabout Rules in Australia