A Highway Code fine means drivers could be liable to pay a four-figure penalty due to a misunderstanding about driving around ambulances.
Whilst the rules say you must give way to emergency service vehicles using flashing lights, motorists can be penalised for performing illegal manoeuvres. Unfortunately, that means well-meaning drivers could be punished for doing the right thing.
Making way for ambulances, fire engines and police vehicles could incur a hefty fine and penalty points, if, for instance, drivers move into a bus lane, stop in a yellow box junction, or drive through a red light.
The manoeuvres are all likely to lead to a fixed penalty notice, with fines and points escalating for those that fail to provide the drivers' details or take the case to court and lose, the Mirror reports.
Rule 219 of the Highway Code 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."
Motorists are advised to pull over if appropriate, but ensure that it is safe to do so first.
"When one approaches do not panic. Consider the route of such a vehicle and take appropriate action to let it pass, while complying with all traffic signs. If necessary, pull to the side of the road and stop, but try to avoid stopping before the brow of a hill, a bend or narrow section of road.
"Do not endanger yourself, other road users or pedestrians and avoid mounting the kerb."
The RAC also encouraged drivers not to stop in the middle of the road to make way. Emergency vehicles could be blocked by vehicles that have stopped in the road without pulling over.
The Sun reported RAC experts as adding: "Keep driving until there's a suitable place to pull over and use your common sense to avoid coming into conflict with other road users.
"If people panic and do not obey traffic laws, this could result in an incident which could endanger more lives or further impede the emergency service from getting through.
"The issue of people taking the wrong action and then facing a fine is a common one and something our legal advice team regularly deal with."
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