Drivers could be fined £1,000 for giving way to a police car during an emergency – but only if they do it the wrong way

DRIVERS who move out of the way for a police car with flashing lights could be slapped with a fine - if they do it the wrong way.

While motorists are instructed to give way to emergency vehicles, if you move into a bus lane or go through a red light you can still be penalised.

What are the rules?

While Brits know to let police, ambulances, fire engines and other emergency vehicles with flashing lights pass, drivers need to make sure they do it correctly.

Entering a bus lane, stopping in a yellow box junction or running a red light are all driving offences - regardless of your reason for doing so.

And while bus lane fines can vary depending on the location, running a red light could land you a penalty of up to £1,000 and six penalty points. 

This means if you commit an offence while making way for a vehicle blasting their siren and you are snapped by a traffic camera, you will still be eligible to pay the fine.

We explain how to avoid being slapped with a heavy penalty when you're next giving way to the emergency services.

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."

But the code also says you shouldn't panic and consider the route of the vehicle to take appropriate action.

If you need to pull over, it suggests stopping before the brow of a hill, a bend or a narrow section of road.