Know what to do when you see an emergency vehicle

An emergency vehicle's top priority is saving lives and traffic is the biggest obstacle when responding to an emergency.

The Edmonton Police Service, Edmonton Fire Rescue, Alberta Health Services and the Alberta Motor Association have teamed up to educate the public on what to do when you see an activated emergency vehicle.

Look. Move. Stop. These are three steps drivers should take when they see lights and hear sirens:

• Look in your rear view mirror to see what vehicle is approaching you from behind.
• Signal and Move to the right to make room for the emergency vehicle to pass.
• Stop and make sure all emergency vehicles have passed. Signal and merge back into traffic when it is safe to do so.

Some drivers freeze or forget what to do when they see an emergency vehicle coming up behind them in traffic.

Although tow trucks are not classified as emergency vehicles, Alberta’s traffic laws require motorists to slow down to 60 km/h when passing activated emergency vehicles and tow trucks working on the side of the road.

Following the rules of the road will help emergency responders get to the scene as quickly and safely as possible.