The Grande Prairie Police Service is reminding drivers of their legal obligation to yield the right of way when emergency vehicles are approaching. Officers are increasingly encountering situations where motorists fail to move to the right, stop in the middle of the road, or pull toward the median, creating dangerous conditions for both emergency responders and the public.
“When an emergency vehicle, such as fire truck, ambulance, or a police car has its lights or siren on, it has the right of way over all other vehicles,” says Sergeant Walter Kubrak. “We continue to see drivers ignoring this, which delays our response times and puts everyone at risk. It’s easy: pull over to the right when it’s safe and clear of an intersection, stop completely, and wait until the emergency vehicle has passed. Do not stop in the middle of the road.”
Drivers should follow these steps when an emergency vehicle approaches:
- Pull over immediately as close to the curb as possible, remaining parallel to the road. Avoid stopping in intersections and always use the turn signal.
- Stop and remain stopped until the emergency vehicle has passed and the road is clear of additional emergency vehicles.
- Re-enter traffic carefully after the emergency vehicle has passed, letting other drivers merge safely and signaling intent.
- Maintain distance: Do not drive within 150 metres of an emergency vehicle with its siren or flashing lights activated. For reference, 150 metres is nearly 1.5 times the length of a football field.
Under Alberta’s Traffic Safety Act, failing to yield to an emergency vehicle with its siren on carries a fine of $405 and failing to immediately stop for a peace officer carries a fine of $243.
Motorists also have a legal obligation to immediately pull over when being stopped by a police or peace officer. If an officer feels your stopping location is unsafe, they will direct you to a better position.
The Grande Prairie Police Service urges all drivers to stay vigilant, remain calm, and always pull to the right when emergency vehicles are approaching. Following the rules keeps officers, emergency responders, and the public safe.