California drivers are supposed to pull over to the right side of the road upon hearing or seeing an emergency vehicle approaching. They must come to a complete stop.
As long as the vehicle is emitting a siren noise and has a light flashing, drivers must allow a fire truck or ambulance, or another emergency vehicle, to pass with as little difficulty as possible.
California Vehicle Code (CVC) explains how far away an emergency vehicle should be before the driver should pull over.
Upon the immediate approach of an authorized emergency vehicle which is sounding a siren and which has at least one lighted lamp exhibiting red light that is visible, under normal atmospheric conditions, from a distance of 1,000 feet to the front of the vehicle, the surrounding traffic shall, except as otherwise directed by a traffic officer, do the following:
(a) (1) Except as required under paragraph (2), the driver of every other vehicle shall yield the right-of-way and shall immediately drive to the right-hand edge or curb of the highway, clear of any intersection, and thereupon shall stop and remain stopped until the authorized emergency vehicle has passed.
What to Do When You See an Emergency Vehicle on the Road
California Vehicle Code asks drivers to get out of the way when they see an emergency vehicle using certain signals as it approaches.
- Sounding a Siren
- Has at least one red light on
- The light is visible from 1,000 feet away, in normal weather (1,000 feet is around the length of 3 football fields)
If these circumstances are all checked off, motorists need to move their vehicles and yield the right-of-way.
These are critical steps, because that ambulance or fire truck will be on its way to an emergency situation. 30 seconds could be the matter of life or death depending on the exact moment the emergency response can arrive on the scene.
Motorists could also strike an ambulance that has a patient inside. The driver could cause them to suffer further injury, or delay the help they need at the Emergency room. Drivers could be cited and also be liable for any damages, including medical bills that result.
To stay completely out of the way, California drivers should take these actions:
- Pull to the right side of the road, against a curb or the edge of the road surface
- If in an intersection, continue through and then pull over
- Come to a complete stop
- Stay on the right side of the road until the emergency vehicle passes.
Other Steps to Take When an Emergency Vehicle Is Approaching
CVC 21806 also requires drivers to evacuate any lane or emergency zone that drivers may be occupying.
(2) A person driving a vehicle in an exclusive or preferential use lane shall exit that lane immediately upon determining that the exit can be accomplished with reasonable safety.
That can mean leaving an HOV lane or a carpool lane to get to the rightmost lane. Drivers should vacate any fire lane in front of a business park or shopping center if they are sitting in one. Motorists parked in front of fire hydrants should also move immediately (they shouldn’t be there anyway).
What Emergency Vehicles Do I Have to Move For?
An emergency vehicle may not look like your average ambulance or police cruiser, but in many cases, you’ll still need to get out of the way.
These are a few of the types of vehicles that are considered emergency vehicles in California:
- Ambulances (public & private)
- Lifeguard vehicles with lights and sirens on
- Police Vehicles, Sheriff’s Department Vehicles, and California Highway Patrol Vehicles
- Fire Department Vehicles, including fire engines and pickups
- Certain state vehicles used for fighting fires, towing vehicles, fixing lighting and traffic lights
- Forestry Department Vehicles
- Office of Emergency Services (OES) vehicles, including some industrial fire squads or rescue crews
- Federal and Tribal emergency vehicles
Remember, these vehicles should have blaring sirens and flashing lights. They should be easy to notice.
Contact a California Car Accident Attorney
If you are struck by a careless driver, including a driver who didn’t get out of the path of an emergency vehicle in a safe manner, and you are seriously hurt, please schedule a free case consultation with Maison Law. A serious injury may involve broken bones, a back or neck injury, or a head injury.
There’s no obligation for your meeting. But if you do need our help to earn more, you don’t have to worry about how you’ll pay a lawyer at such a difficult time. We aren’t paid unless we win your case for you. Then our fee comes out of the check the insurance company must write for you.