Little-known Highway Code means drivers could be fined for letting an ambulance pass

Daily Record

27-05-2025

Drivers warned to be cautious when moving out of the way to allow emergency service vehicles to overtake
Motorists are being warned they could be hit with a hefty fine for moving out of the way of an emergency service vehicle. Drivers might panic when they see blue flashing lights coming up behind them but experts say they should only move if it is safe to do so and they should never run a red light.
Safety should be the utmost importance in an emergency and as much as drivers may think it is legal to urgently move to let an ambulance, fire engine or police vehicle pass, they could actually be breaking the law. Drivers should remain calm and ensure they can move their car safely to avoid getting in trouble with the law.
‌
Not only does this minimise the risk of accidents, but incorrectly letting an emergency service vehicle overtake could result in a fine of up to £1,000.
‌
The Highway Code stipulates that motorists must take appropriate action to allow an emergency vehicle to pass, but this must still comply with all traffic signs.
Join the Daily Record WhatsApp community!
Get the latest news sent straight to your messages by joining our WhatsApp community today.
You'll receive daily updates on breaking news as well as the top headlines across Scotland.
No one will be able to see who is signed up and no one can send messages except the Daily Record team.
All you have to do is click here if you're on mobile, select 'Join Community' and you're in!
If you're on a desktop, simply scan the QR code above with your phone and click 'Join Community'.
We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like.
To leave our community click on the name at the top of your screen and choose 'exit group'.
If you're curious, you can read our Privacy Notice.
If you break the law while doing so, for example by entering a yellow box junction or bus lane, or by driving through a red light, penalties may be severe. Not only can you be fined, but some offences can also add three penalty points to your licence, reports Devon Live.
The Highway Codes 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 advises motorists to stop ahead of a hill's brow, to never mount the kerb, ensure others aren't put in jeopardy, and to avoid abrupt braking.
Further guidance found on the Blue Light Aware website reads: 'Of course, there will be times when there simply is no room for an emergency service vehicle to get past, or perhaps its crew are activated by their control room to respond to an emergency while they are waiting with everyone else at the traffic lights.
‌
'On these occasions, they know that other motorists are not allowed to 'jump' the red light, and the emergency vehicle would ideally not activate its sirens and lights until it was safe for the vehicle in front to cross the solid white line at the junction.
'On the (hopefully) rare occasions that a blue light vehicle, in 'emergency mode', is sitting behind another vehicle at a red traffic light, it's important to appreciate that it would be both very dangerous and illegal for the other vehicle to move across the solid white line."
‌
Last year Tim Alcock from LeaseCar.uk has said: "Many motorists in the UK will be shocked to find out they risk eye-watering fines for letting an emergency vehicle pass. With the best intentions, it is most people's instinct to move out of the way when they hear sirens so ambulance drivers, firefighters and police officers can get to an emergency quickly.
"We are not saying for one minute not to move for emergency vehicles but please ensure it's done safely and within the law.
"If drivers break traffic laws while moving out of the way, they could be handed a careless or dangerous driving charge and slapped with huge fines and penalty points. For example, moving through a red light for an emergency vehicle is a traffic light offence and could land drivers with a discretionary disqualification or hefty fine because it could lead to a crash.
"This may sound ridiculous and unfair, but anyone found to be endangering themselves or other road users will be punished for breaking the law if caught out. Getting stuck with a blue light vehicle behind you is stressful, but it is important to keep a cool head and always follow the rules of the road to avoid being stung with avoidable fines."