Emergency vehicles—such as fire trucks, police cars, and ambulances—help keep our communities safe. As a driver, you'll sometimes encounter flashing lights or sirens on the road. Being familiar with the rules and regulations when encountering emergency vehicles on the road will help everyone be safer. Keep the following guidelines in mind when sharing the road with emergency vehicles:

'Right-of-Way' Animation: https://youtu.be/jyjrANM7RkQ

Yield the right-of-way to emergency vehicles. If you see flashing lights or hear sirens nearby, drive to the right side of the road if it's safe to do so and stop until the emergency vehicle(s) have passed. Keep in mind that multiple emergency vehicles often respond to the same incident and they could come from different locations. You should also pull over if you're on the other side of the road, unless there is a physical barrier or median. For example, you should pull over if there's only two solid yellow lines dividing the road. Emergency vehicles may sometimes use the wrong side of the street to continue on their way.

'Move Over or Slow Down' Animation: https://youtu.be/uDR78HoLBOc

Move over for stationary emergency vehicles. When approaching a stationary emergency vehicle, motorists are required to move over a lane, if safe to do so, or slow down. This also applies to tow trucks, Caltrans vehicles, and waste management vehicles that are displaying emergency flashing or amber warning lights.

'Follow Traffic Orders' Animation: https://youtu.be/B2VaIJ6j4y8

Follow all traffic orders given by public safety officials. You must obey any traffic direction, order, or signal given by a traffic officer, peace officer, or a firefighter—even if it conflicts with existing signs, signals, or laws. For example, a fire vehicle may use a loudspeaker or horn to communicate with drivers blocking their path.

'Don't Stop in an Intersection' Animation: https://youtu.be/2n65nVhpy1w

Never stop inside of an intersection. If you see or hear an emergency vehicle while crossing an intersection, continue through the intersection and then pull over to the right when it is safe to do so. Pull over even if you're on the other side of the road because the emergency vehicle might make an unexpected turn.

'Stopping at a Red Light' Animation: https://youtu.be/mHqWbAIbCZw

Stay put at a red light unless given other directions by emergency personnel. If you're stopped at a red light and an emergency vehicle approaches you from behind, don't move unless you're given other instructions by emergency officials. If you were planning to make a right turn at a red light, you may proceed with the turn if it's safe to do so; however, you should then pull over to the right until the emergency vehicle has passed.

'Keep 500 Feet Behind Emergency Vehicles' Animation: https://youtu.be/TUDmqSHgLLw

Keep at least 500 feet behind emergency vehicles. It's against the law to drive too closely behind an emergency vehicle with a siren or flashing lights. It's also dangerous because an emergency vehicle can make sudden and unexpected movements on the road.

'Don't be a Casual Observer' Animation: https://youtu.be/pGL539fQOyM

Never drive by an incident for sight-seeing purposes. If you drive for sight-seeing purposes to the scene of a fire, collision, or other disaster, you may be arrested. Casual observers can interfere with the essential services of emergency personnel.

'Don't Park Close to Fire Hydrants' Animation: https://youtu.be/ZhAnMUOZafU 

Never park within 15 feet of a fire hydrant. In California, it's against the law to park within 15 feet of a fire hydrant—regardless of whether the adjacent curb is painted red or not. Doing so could result in you getting a ticket, being towed, or having your vehicle's windows broken if firefighters need to access a fire hydrant your vehicle is blocking during a fire. A good rule of thumb is to park at least one car length away from fire hydrants.