Pull Right for Lights & Sirens

Every day, emergency personnel respond to all types of emergencies that require a timely response.  In order to achieve this timely response emergency vehicles are permitted to negotiate traffic and road situations in ways that the everyday motorist may not.  When lights and sirens are used, motorists are required to yield to emergency vehicles.

When approached by an emergency vehicle with lights and sirens on, motorists should:

- Slow down and pull over as far right as possible
- Come to a complete stop as far right as possible
- Wait until emergency vehicle passes and be sure no more emergency vehicles are approaching
- Then slowly and cautiously re-enter traffic, being aware of where other vehicles are

Here are some instances in which many motorist may be confused on what
to do when approached by an emergency vehicle:

- NEVER make a left turn in front of an emergency vehicle, even when in an intersection or turn lane
- Motorists should pull over BEFORE entering an intersection on approach of an emergency vehicle
- NEVER enter an intersection when an emergency vehicle is approaching, pull over and stop BEFORE the intersection
- If in an intersection when an emergency vehicle approaches, check to make sure all traffic is stopped and pull to the right taking care not to block the direction of travel of the emergency vehicle
- NEVER stop while on top or cresting a hill in which the other side of the hill can not be seen
- Do not stop in the middle of a blind curve
- If traveling in heavy traffic on a multilane road, traffic closest to the curb should pull as far to the right as possible and lanes not directly next to the curb should pull as far toward the curb-lane vehicles as possible
- Motorists are required to pull over and stop if they see emergency vehicles pulling out of their stations even before the vehicle has entered the roadway

Another newer Ohio law pertains to emergency vehicles stopped along Interstate highways and other roadways.

This law requires motorist to slow their speed and attempt to move over a lane for STOPPED emergency vehicles.  Make all efforts possible to give emergency personnel as much room as possible.

It is important to remain calm and think before you act.  Do not jam the brakes or jerk the wheel and cause an accident.  Observe what other vehicles are doing and proceed to safely move out of the way.