You could be fined £1,000 for letting ambulance pass – here’s how to avoid being caught out

DRIVERS have been warned they could face a £1,000 fine for letting an ambulance pass - here's how to avoid being caught out.

While motorists know they should make way for emergency vehicles, this needs to be done in the correct manner to avoid a hefty fine.

The Highway Code clearly states that road users should give way to vehicles with flashing lights, including police cars, ambulances, fire engines and emergency doctors.

But other driving rules still apply while letting these emergency vehicles past - with some manoeuvres illegal.

These include moving into a bus lane, stopping in a yellow box junction or running a red light.

If motorists are not careful, they could be slapped with a £1,000 fine despite their good intentions.

To make matters worse you could potentially receive three penalty points on your licence.

Rule 219 of the Highway Code states: "You should look and listen for ambulances, fire engines, police, doctors or other emergency vehicles using flashing blue, red or green lights and sirens, or flashing headlights, or traffic officer and incident support vehicles using flashing amber lights."

It continues to advise motorists on how to act in this situation and where is considered an appropriate place to stop.

"When one approaches do not panic. Consider the route of such a vehicle and take appropriate action to let it pass, while complying with all traffic signs.

"If necessary, pull to the side of the road and stop, but try to avoid stopping before the brow of a hill, a bend or narrow section of road.

"Do not endanger yourself, other road users or pedestrians and avoid mounting the kerb."

The code also tells motorists to not brake harshly on approach to a junction or roundabout as it could endanger other drivers.

The RAC also urged drivers to resist the temptation to stop in the middle of the road.

By stopping in the middle drivers could block the route for the emergency vehicle.

The RAC experts added: “Keep driving until there’s a suitable place to pull over and use your common sense to avoid coming into conflict with other road users.

“It is important that people are aware of this advice so they can ensure they take the correct action when encountering an emergency services vehicle.

“If people panic and do not obey traffic laws, this could result in an incident which could endanger more lives or further impede the emergency service from getting through.

“The issue of people taking the wrong action and then facing a fine is a common one and something our legal advice team regularly deal with.

“If you are issued with a fine that you feel is unfair because you were getting out of the way for an emergency vehicle, you may be able to appeal it.”

It comes as motorists with glasses were warned that a little known error could see them £1,000 out of pocket.

Meanwhile, drivers were warned they could face a hefty £1,000 fine or a month in jail for breaking this little-known speed camera rule.