Flashing lights ahead…What would you do?

There are two situations where motorists will encounter an emergency vehicle on a road or highway:

• When a police, fire or ambulance vehicle is approaching from either direction, or
• When any of these vehicles, with their lights flashing, is stopped in the same direction on the road or the shoulder ahead.

Under the Highway Traffic Act, here is what you are required to do in each of these situations.

WHEN AN EMERGENCY VEHICLE APPROACHES YOU

• Motorists must clear the way;
• Motorists are required to pull to the right and if possible, stop;
• Motorists must yield at intersections.

Failure to react correctly can result in a FINE of $90 ($125 in a Community Safety Zone), plus 3 demerit points on your driving record upon conviction.

WHEN YOU APPROACH A STOPPED EMERGENCY VEHICLE

• Motorists must slow down and pass with caution;
• If the road has two or more lanes motorists must move over into another lane, if it can be done safely.

Failure to respond correctly can be costly:

First offence, FINE of $400 to $2,000, plus 3 demerit points upon conviction;

Subsequent offence (within 5 years), Fine of $1,000 to $4,000, possible jail time up to 6 months and possible suspension of driver’s license up to 2 years

FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION REGARDING THESE RULES OF THE ROAD, VISIT http://www.mto.gov.on.ca/english/safety/topics/emergency.htm