Newsroom
Drivers who hesitate to move for sirens could be costing lives, and police are warning the public that the law is clear: when an emergency vehicle approaches, you must make way immediately.
Authorities say ambulances, police cars, fire trucks, and other official response vehicles rely on seconds, not minutes, to reach people in danger. Even a brief delay can mean the difference between life and death. Yet officials have noticed repeated cases of drivers failing to yield, especially at traffic lights, apparently because they worry about being caught on camera running a red light.
Under current rules, motorists must pull as close as possible to the side of the road and stop until the emergency vehicle passes, as long as it has its siren and lights activated. Ignoring that obligation can carry serious consequences: up to one year in prison, a fine of up to €3,000, or both.
Police stress that drivers shouldn’t let fear of a traffic ticket stop them from doing the right thing. If someone is flagged by an automated traffic-light system while making way for an emergency vehicle, officers say they can review the case and cancel the violation if the driver requests it.
Officials are urging motorists to treat every siren as urgent and real. Clearing a path doesn’t just help the person waiting for help; it also reduces the risk of crashes involving emergency crews racing to the scene.
