Emergency Medical Services

At an Intersection:

If you hear a siren or see flashing lights at an intersection, you should:

• Stop at the limit line or at the crosswalk if facing a red tri-light signal.
  
• Yield the right-of-way when safely able to do so, which may mean driving through the intersection on a green tri-light prior to pulling over to the right.
  
• Wait for all emergency vehicles to pass before getting back on the road. Remember, there may be more than one emergency vehicle responding Code 3.
  
• If the operator of the emergency vehicle requests you to move in a certain direction via the public address (PA) system, please do so expeditiously.
• DON’T panic!
• DON’T pull into the intersection on a red light!
• DON’T stop in the middle of the intersection!
   

On a Street:

If you hear a siren or see flashing lights on a street, you should:

Pull over to the right when safely able to do so;

• Slow down and stop to make a safe lane of passage for the emergency vehicle.
  
• If the operator of the emergency vehicle requests you to move in a certain direction via the PA system, please do so expeditiously.
• DON’T panic!
• DON’T stop in the middle of the road!
   

On a Freeway:

If you hear a siren or see flashing lights on a freeway, you should:

• Pull over to the right when safely able to do so.
  
• Continue to move forward at a safe speed.
  
• If the operator of the emergency vehicle requests you to move in a certain direction via the PA system, please do so expeditiously.
  
• DON’T panic!
• DON’T stop on the freeway!
   

CODE 3 VEHICLE LAWS

The following California Vehicle Code (CVC) sections pertain to emergency vehicles responding Code 3:

21806(a)(1) CVC When approached by an emergency vehicle, which is sounding a siren and displaying a forward facing red-light (Code 3), all vehicular traffic shall yield the right-of-way and drive to the right side of the roadway and stop until the emergency vehicle has passed.

21806(a)(2) CVC When approached by an emergency vehicle that is responding Code 3 in a carpool lane, all vehicles shall exit the lane Immediateely.

21806(c) CVC When approached by an emergency vehicle that is responding Code 3, all pedestrians upon the roadway shall yield the right-of-way and proceed to the nearest curb or place of safety and remain there until the emergency vehicle has passed.

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