When Driving Near Emergency Vehicles
When Emergency Vehicles Approach
If you see an emergency vehicle coming—such as an ambulance, fire truck, or police car or a tow truck with lights flashing, take these steps to let it pass safely:
- Slow down
- Signal
- Move to the right side of the road, away from intersections
- Stop and wait
Once the vehicle has passed, check that the road is clear, signal, and carefully merge back into traffic.
Move Over Safely
You may need to adjust your position to make room for emergency vehicles. Here’s what to do in different situations:
- On highways: Pull as far to the right as possible but avoid driving on or blocking the shoulder.
- In intersections: Don’t turn left. Go straight through, then pull over to the right and stop.
- On one-way streets: If you can’t move right, pull to the left side instead.
Approaching Stopped Emergency Vehicles
When passing a stopped emergency vehicle:
- Slow down
- Proceed with caution
- Leave a lane of space between your vehicle and theirs, if it’s safe to do so
These steps help protect emergency workers and keep everyone safe on the road.
Penalties for Not Moving Over
Drivers must slow down and move over when it’s safe to do so. Failing to follow this law can lead to serious consequences.
First Offence:
- Fine: $400 to $2,000
- 3 demerit points
- Possible driver’s licence suspension for up to 2 years
Repeat Offences (within 5 years):
- Fine: $1,000 to $4,000
- 3 demerit points
- Possible jail time up to 6 months
- Possible driver’s licence suspension for up to 2 years
Remember it’s illegal to follow within 150 metres of a fire truck or ambulance responding to an emergency.