Emergency Medical Services

Upon the Immediatee approach of an emergency vehicle displaying emergency lights, the driver of every other vehicle shall yield the right of way by moving to the right-hand edge or curb clear of any intersection and stop and remain stopped until the emergency vehicle passes. If an emergency vehicle is parked or stopped at the scene of an emergency and is displaying emergency red, white, or blue lights, traffic shall move to the right and stop. Once stopped, traffic may proceed with caution unless otherwise directed.

On August 1, 2001, a law was enacted to protect North Dakota Emergency Services Personnel while stopped on multi-lane highways with emergency lights activated.

The law requires motorists approaching parked or stopped emergency vehicles displaying amber, red, white, or blue lights to proceed with caution and yield the right of way by moving to a lane that is not adjacent to the emergency vehicle if the move may be made with due regard to safety and traffic conditions or if not, the driver shall proceed with due caution, reduce speed, and maintain a safe speed for the road conditions. The most frequent situation when this law pertains is when a law enforcement officer has stopped another motorist for committing a traffic violation. Others are when the officer is assisting a motorist or investigating an abandoned vehicle. In most cases such as this, Highway Patrol vehicles will be displaying amber lights.

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