BLOCK FEE
Can I be fined for obstructing the emergency services?
Find out what rules you should be aware of to avoid penalties
GETTING out of the way for emergency vehicles is important, but it’s easy to make mistakes.
Here’s how to safely move aside for ambulances, police cars, and fire trucks without breaking any road rules.
1
Can I be fined for obstructing the emergency services?
Under the Emergency Works (Obstruction) Act 2006, you can be fined up to £5,000 for "wilfully impeding" an emergency vehicle.
That means making a concerted effort to stop an ambulance, fire engine or police car getting past.
Yet if there's nowhere you can move out the way, you won't be punished for staying where you are.
However, drivers are more likely to be fined for running a red light or moving into a bus lane in order to avoid emergency vehicles, they've been warned.
read More on road laws
So be sure that when an emergency vehicle comes through traffic with its sirens on you don't break any road laws in the process.
What rules should I be aware of?
Stopping in a yellow box junction or running a red light are serious driving offences - and you'll be fined regardless of your reason for doing so.
Bus lane fines vary depending on your location, while going through a red light could land you a penalty of up to £1,000 and six penalty points on your licence.
The Highway Code also advises: “Do not endanger yourself, other road users or pedestrians and avoid mounting the kerb.
Most read in Motors
“Do not brake harshly on approach to a junction or roundabout, as a following vehicle may not have the same view as you.”
And make sure you don't run a red light or move into a bus lane when you're avoiding an emergency vehicle.
Ryan Thomas and Lucy Meck's son Roman drives around Tesco in tiny supercar - leaving fans in hysterics
It could land you with a fine of up to £1,000.
Make sure you use common sense and follow the rules when an emergency vehicle does come up behind you.
And don't panic - they're not expecting you to disappear out the way immediately, especially on a busy road.
Doing the right thing in a fair amount of time will always set you in good stead.
Rules on emergency vehicles are not set to change when the new Highway Code comes into place next year.
However, new guidance does mean giving cyclists priority in certain situations.
Here's a look at all the big rule changes you need to be aware of.
Topics