Safety when encountering an emergency vehicle

Remember that delaying emergency vehicles can cost lives. You need to be ready to give them a clear passage, without putting yourself or other road users at risk.

If you're in the way of an emergency vehicle approaching using its flashing blue lights, headlights and/or siren, you should:

• Pull over, watching out for pedestrians, cyclists and other vehicles;

• Signal to let people know what you're doing;

• Pull in as far as you can, leaving a gap big enough for the emergency vehicle to get through;

• Keep calm; and

• Stay alert - there may be more vehicles coming.

• If you're a pedestrian, keep off the road.

Who is entitled to use a blue light?

As well as the Police, Fire and Ambulance services, the following are also permitted to carry and use blue lights when required:-

• Mines Rescue Service

• Mountain Rescue Teams

• Coastguard Service

• Bomb Disposal Teams

• Human Tissue for Transplant Vehicles

• National Blood Service

• Life Boat Launching Vehicles