Emergency Vehicles Have the Right of Way in Arizona

Drivers react in various ways to fire engines, ambulances and other emergency vehicles with flashing lights and sirens activated. Some drivers pull off the road. Others steer to the right side of the road and slow or stop. Some drivers stop and remain where they are in the roadway, while a few continue to drive as if conditions were normal. These drivers place others at increased risk of an accident.

There is a proper driving procedure to use when emergency vehicles approach you. This procedure is required by Arizona law. Failure to observe it may result in a traffic citation.

The consequences can be even worse if an accident results from a violation of this law. You also may be sued for damages or injuries received by others.

Drivers in Arizona are required to yield the right of way to all emergency vehicles with illuminated red or red and blue lights and sounding a siren, whistle or bell. When an emergency vehicle approaches, you are required to immediately pull as far right on the road as possible and stop your car parallel to the curb or edge of the road. You must remain stopped until the emergency vehicle passes, unless a police officer directs otherwise.

It is a violation of the law to stop your car in an intersection. You must clear all intersections before coming to a stop.

The law creates a separate violation for those who follow too close behind fire trucks with lights and sirens on. You are required to remain at least 500 feet behind a working fire truck.

You also may not drive into the block where a fire truck has stopped in answer to a fire alarm.

Drivers also are required to yield the right of way to cars in a funeral procession, although they are not emergency vehicles. State law permits properly escorted funeral processions to proceed through red lights, make otherwise improper turns and disregard many other traffic rules.

Always exercise special caution when driving near emergency vehicles and funeral processions.

Follow the rules and drive defensively.