Stopping for fire trucks
Nov 20th 2013, 7:38 pm
#1
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Stopping for fire trucks
Is it law in the US to stop for a fire truck going in the opposite direction to you?
A number of times now I've had a bunch of cars stopping and pulling over I front of me, when the truck is on the opposite site, going in the opposite direction and really far away ( the roads are huge ). The people here seem to go into a complete panic and it's probably the cause of many accidents. Stupid if you ask me.
A number of times now I've had a bunch of cars stopping and pulling over I front of me, when the truck is on the opposite site, going in the opposite direction and really far away ( the roads are huge ). The people here seem to go into a complete panic and it's probably the cause of many accidents. Stupid if you ask me.
Nov 20th 2013, 7:47 pm
#2
Lost in BE Cyberspace
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Re: Stopping for fire trucks
Local laws probably vary.
At a minimum I think you are meant to yield the right of way and if practical pull over to one side usually the right, whether you should actually come to a stop I don't know. They may have to pull into your lane to bypass congestion on their side so yes even if going in the other direction.
At a minimum I think you are meant to yield the right of way and if practical pull over to one side usually the right, whether you should actually come to a stop I don't know. They may have to pull into your lane to bypass congestion on their side so yes even if going in the other direction.
Nov 20th 2013, 7:50 pm
#3
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Re: Stopping for fire trucks
The one place where it happened, there's a central reservation. No chance of pulling into any oncoming lanes.
Nov 20th 2013, 7:54 pm
#4
Mouthy Yank
Joined: Oct 2012
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Re: Stopping for fire trucks
I don't know if it's the law, since I was never taught to do it that way, but I am frequently confused about which direction the fire truck is coming in, so I pull over regardless. Most often, the rest of traffic does as soon as I make it plain what I'm doing, so I don't think anyone's sure. I know traffic has to stop both ways for a school bus letting off children, so maybe people assume it is the case. It makes sense. Emergency vehicles sometimes need to drive on the oncoming side if the side of the road they are on is too congested.
Nov 20th 2013, 7:57 pm
#5
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Re: Stopping for fire trucks
It's the law here.
What actually happens is everyone panics and starts weaving around.
What actually happens is everyone panics and starts weaving around.
Nov 20th 2013, 8:21 pm
#6
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Re: Stopping for fire trucks
The rule about "pulling over" for emergency vehicles ignores the reality of typical road conditions where "pulling over" can easily lead to grid lock and leave the emergency vehicle completely blocked by stationary traffic.
Nov 20th 2013, 8:23 pm
#7
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Re: Stopping for fire trucks
I've seen people pull over when a fire truck is coming the opposite direction (on an undivided highway obviously). I assumed it was the law here.
Nov 20th 2013, 8:36 pm
#8
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Re: Stopping for fire trucks
From my state's driver manual:
In summary - pull over and stop.
Regards, JEff
EMERGENCY VEHICLES
You must yield the right-of-way to police, fire, ambulance, or any other emergency vehicles using a
siren or air horn, and a red or blue flashing light. Pull over to the right edge of the road, or as
near to the right as possible, when you see or hear an emergency vehicle approaching from any
direction. If you are in an intersection, drive through the intersection before you pull over.
Remain stopped until the emergency vehicle passes. Follow any instructions given over the emergency
vehicle’s loudspeaker. Emergency vehicles may follow each other so proceed only when the way is clear.
You must yield the right-of-way to police, fire, ambulance, or any other emergency vehicles using a
siren or air horn, and a red or blue flashing light. Pull over to the right edge of the road, or as
near to the right as possible, when you see or hear an emergency vehicle approaching from any
direction. If you are in an intersection, drive through the intersection before you pull over.
Remain stopped until the emergency vehicle passes. Follow any instructions given over the emergency
vehicle’s loudspeaker. Emergency vehicles may follow each other so proceed only when the way is clear.
Regards, JEff
Nov 20th 2013, 8:37 pm
#9
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Re: Stopping for fire trucks
Seems to be any vehicle in the surrounding area.
http://www.dmv.ca.gov/pubs/vctop/d11/vc21806.htm
Last edited by Sally Redux; Nov 20th 2013 at 9:14 pm.
Nov 20th 2013, 8:58 pm
#10
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Joined: Feb 2009
Location: Fox Lake, IL (from Carrickfergus NI)
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Re: Stopping for fire trucks
Of course, if they are on your side and moving with traffic in the same direction as you, then the pull over/stop still applies.
Nov 20th 2013, 9:08 pm
#11
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Re: Stopping for fire trucks
It should have a piece about it in your state's driver education booklet. I think if it's a divided highway, you don't have to. If it is one lane either side (a normal road), I think you have to pull over even if the emergency vehicle is coming towards you as well as from behind. If I hear sirens, I usually look in the mirrors, as it's not always clear which direction they are coming from.
Nov 20th 2013, 9:14 pm
#12
Member
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Posts: 14,049
Re: Stopping for fire trucks
I've checked my state's manual and California's manual. Both say essentially the same thing, neither makes any mention of a divided highway situation.
As with many immigration issues one may have to look at the law itself, not a Cliff's Notes version.
Regards, JEff
As with many immigration issues one may have to look at the law itself, not a Cliff's Notes version.
Regards, JEff
Nov 20th 2013, 9:45 pm
#13
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Re: Stopping for fire trucks
OP just said 'the opposite direction' in his first post. I don't know about the reservation. We should check I suppose.
Seems to be any vehicle in the surrounding area.
http://www.dmv.ca.gov/pubs/vctop/d11/vc21806.htm
Seems to be any vehicle in the surrounding area.
http://www.dmv.ca.gov/pubs/vctop/d11/vc21806.htm
https://www.dmv.ca.gov/pubs/dl603/teen_htm/special.htm
From experience, I will not pull over if I SEE that the emergency vehicle is on the other side of a divided highway. If I can't see the vehicle, but can hear that it is close, I will slow down and get over to the right to be prepared to take the right action. If I see the vehicle on the other side of a NON-divided road, I will pull over to give the vehicle access to the entire road.
Nov 20th 2013, 9:47 pm
#14
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Re: Stopping for fire trucks
Although I didn't state in the original post, I was mostly referring to the divided highway situation. I was just curious as it shocks me everytime other people start to panic and weave about when the truck is clearly nowhere near us.
Makes no odds to me. I can stop or not stop. It just seems a bit of common sense is in order sometimes.
I just have to make sure I don't rear end anyone when I'm looking at the pretty fire truck go by.
Makes no odds to me. I can stop or not stop. It just seems a bit of common sense is in order sometimes.
I just have to make sure I don't rear end anyone when I'm looking at the pretty fire truck go by.
Nov 20th 2013, 9:49 pm
#15
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Re: Stopping for fire trucks
From experience, I will not pull over if I SEE that the emergency vehicle is on the other side of a divided highway. If I can't see the vehicle, but can hear that it is close, I will slow down and get over to the right to be prepared to take the right action. If I see the vehicle on the other side of a NON-divided road, I will pull over to give the vehicle access to the entire road.