Awareness and First Aid
When ambulances are trying to reach someone in desperate need of medical attention, your response as a driver can make all the difference.
As a driver, when you see or hear an emergency vehicle displaying flashing lights or sounding a siren, by law you must give “immediate and absolute right of way” – but you must also yield safely and reasonably, without endangering yourself or others.
Stay calm and act safely
The most important thing when an ambulance approaches is to stay calm. “Panic leads to poor decisions that can cause accidents and create further emergencies,” says Kim Habib, Branch Manager at ER24 Lowveld. “Take a deep breath, assess your surroundings, and make deliberate, safe movements. Remember: every minute counts, but your safety and the safety of others must come first.”
She advises drivers to avoid braking hard, swerving, or rushing to get out of the way. “Stay calm, signal your intentions, and move when it’s safe to do so.”
Your 4-step action plan
- Listen and look
Keep your music at a reasonable volume so you can hear sirens. Regularly check your mirrors and scan the road ahead. Look for the distinctive flashing lights that signal an emergency vehicle is approaching. - Signal your intentions
Use your indicators to show the ambulance and other drivers what you plan to do. This simple action helps everyone understand the traffic flow and prevents confusion. - Move safely to the left
On regular roads, move to the left when it’s practical and safe. This is your default action unless road conditions make it unsafe. Don’t feel pressured to move immediately – wait for a safe opportunity. - Stay in your lane when you can’t move
If moving is unsafe or impossible, stay in your lane. The ambulance crew will navigate around you. It’s better to be predictable than to create a dangerous situation.
Specific scenarios: What to do where
- Traffic lights
If you’re stopped at a red light, do not drive through it, even for an ambulance. Stay where you are and let the ambulance navigate around your position. Breaking traffic laws can create more dangerous situations. - Roundabouts
Look where the ambulance is going and stay where you are. Wait until it passes before moving. Be cautious, as more emergency vehicles may be following behind it. - Freeways
Move to the left lane to allow ambulances to use the outside (fast) lane. In heavy traffic, create an “emergency corridor” by leaving space between lanes for the ambulance to pass through. - Roads with solid white lines
Keep to the speed limit and don’t slow down for ambulances. They may switch off sirens on these roads and will only overtake when it’s safe.
Lifesaving driver tips
- Follow all traffic laws: Stop at red lights and stay behind solid white lines. Safe driving helps everyone, including emergency crews.
- Stay alert after an ambulance passes: Keep watching for additional emergency vehicles before rejoining traffic.
- Maintain safe distances: Give ambulances plenty of space and never try to use their path to move ahead.
What to do once the ambulance has passed
- Look before rejoining traffic.
- Watch for more emergency vehicles that might be coming.
- Use your signal when moving back into the lane.
- Drive at a normal speed – don’t speed to catch up.
“Each time you safely yield to an ambulance, you’re not just obeying the law – you could be helping save a life,” says Habib.