What Do I Do When an Emergency Vehicle is in My Rear-View Mirror With Its Lights Flashing?

This is good question and one we often need reminding of. First of all it is important to define what an emergency vehicle is. An easy way to remember this is to consider any vehicle flashing red, blue, or amber lights an emergency vehicle, whether it is a police vehicle, ambulance, fire truck, or even a tow truck.

With that understood, here is what to do when an emergency vehicle approaches you on the road with its “lights” on, siren or no siren.

If it is coming behind you, in your lane of traffic, you should pull over as soon as it is safe, to the side of the road or nearest clear, safe space. If it is approaching from the opposite lane, be prepared to slow or stop if the vehicle needs space to move into your lane. Remember, seconds count in an emergency situation and any delay could be deadly to the person requiring aid.

In addition, if you approach an emergency vehicle stopped on the side of the road in your lane of traffic in Florida, there is the Move Over Act. This law mandates you to move over or slow to 20 mph below the speed limit, if changing lanes is not safe.

Another reminder, most states have laws prohibiting any vehicle from following within 500 feet of an emergency vehicle.

I am local accident attorney Jeffrey Meldon and I strongly believe that public education is the first step in the prevention of and/or recovery from a serious accident. My office and I take pride in our work, and the results we get for our clients.

Meldon Law is a regional law firm that is located in Gainesville, Florida. We are personal injury attorneys, litigators and trial attorneys that have been working to get accident victims the justice they deserve for over 40 years throughout North Florida and all over Florida. Accidents involving a car crash, truck wreck, motorcycle, ATVs, bicycle, pedestrian accidents, and dog bites, slip and falls, medical malpractice, and criminal defense are all included in our practice.

For more information on how we can help you, or with any other question you may have, feel free to contact our office at 800-373-8000.