Move over when emergency vehicles are approaching

By Staff

Published: May 26, 2008

There isn't a day that goes by that you don't hear or see an emergency vehicle—sirens and flashing lights rushing to help someone in dire need. This group, of front-line professionals, police, fire and rescue, provides round-the-clock protection and life-saving services for our families and communities. In order for these professionals to continue to do their job, we must be responsible in doing our part to ensure their safety when responding to an emergency.

Each year in the U.S., while responding to or returning from incidents, there are approximately 16,000 collisions involving fire department emergency vehicles resulting in more than 1,000 firefighter injuries and almost 50 deaths according to the National Fire Protection Association—http://www.nfpa.org. So far this year, January through April, there have been 45 firefighter fatalities in which 20 percent of those fatalities were involved in a motor vehicle collision while responding to an emergency. Some drivers panic and are unsure of what to do when they see and hear an emergency vehicle, while others do not adhere to the rules of the road.

Virginia is one of 40 states with a "Move Over" law requiring drivers to yield the right-of-way to an emergency vehicle or slow down for all emergency personnel stopped on the side of the road. This law was created to save lives. Violation of the law carries a punishment of up to a $2,500 fine and/or 12 months in jail.

The Prince William County Department of Fire and Rescue—http://www.pwcgov.org/fire—would like your help when emergency vehicles are responding to an emergency.

When you hear a siren and/or see flashing lights:

• Stay calm.

• Look for emergency vehicles; also check your rear and side views.

• Pull to the right and come to a complete stop.

• When traveling on a high-speed road or if there is no room to stop, slow down.

• If unable to move to the right edge of the road, adjust your lane position to leave a clear path for the emergency vehicle to pass.

• When traveling on an undivided highway, all traffic must pull over.

• If you are in the left lane, merge into the right lane as traffic moves over.

• If you cannot move to the right because of another vehicle or obstacle, just stop. Your action will let the driver of the emergency vehicle know what you are doing and allow the driver to anticipate where to drive.

• When an emergency vehicle approaches you from behind while you are stopped at an intersection, stay where you are unless you can pull to the right. Don't drive through a red light or stop sign.

• On a four-lane highway or street without barriers, both sides of traffic pull to the right.

• Be careful when driving by or around a motor vehicle accident or any situation where emergency vehicles are parked and the firefighters are working.

• Drivers should stay at least 500 feet behind emergency vehicles.

This column is provided by the Prince William County Department of Fire and Rescue's Community Relations Team. Send questions or comments to DFR Responding to You, 9250 Lee Ave., Manassas VA 20110 or via e-mail to dfrrespondingtoyou@ pwcgov.org.