Emergency Vehicles on the Road

What is Code 3?

When an emergency vehicle is driving with its lights flashing and the siren ringing, that means it’s going Code 3 to an emergency somewhere.

Code 3 means a response in an emergency vehicle for someone that is in need of help quickly.

What to Do

When you are driving and you see or hear the lights or sirens of an emergency vehicle, follow these guidelines:

• Carefully pull your vehicle to the right of the road and stop.
• If at an intersection or stopped in traffic, remain stopped and wait until the emergency vehicles have passed.
• Do not make quick or erratic maneuvers.
• Stay 500 feet behind emergency vehicles.

The law is very specific; drivers must yield the right-of-way to an emergency vehicle.

Crashes Involving an Emergency Vehicle

A crash prevents help from reaching those who need it. Firefighters are careful to avoid vehicle collisions by driving slowly when traveling against traffic and coming to a complete stop at intersections, but the cooperation of all vehicles is required.

Driving Near Accidents & Parked Emergency Vehicles

Be careful when driving by or around a motor vehicle accident or any situation where emergency vehicles are parked and where firefighters are working. Resist the impulse to “rubberneck” as this can cause additional collisions.

Even though fire apparatus are placed to protect firefighters, tragically sometimes emergency crews have been hit and killed by passing vehicles.