Ambulance with siren and flashing lights: what should you do?

When an authorised vehicle uses its emergency warning devices on an urgent service, other road users must leave the way clear and stop if necessary.

Recognise an urgent service

A siren and blue flashing lights indicate that an authorised vehicle is carrying out an urgent service, such as a medical or police response. Article 177 requires road users on its route, and on nearby roads at junctions, to leave the way clear as soon as they hear the acoustic signal and to stop if necessary. Do not wait until the ambulance is only a few metres away before reacting.

Slow down gradually, check mirrors and blind spots, and make room without sudden braking or turns. If a lane is clear, move aside carefully; if there is no safe passage, stop where you will not block the vehicle further. At junctions, do not enter if you cannot clear the intersection, and do not follow closely behind the ambulance to gain an advantage in traffic: the Code prohibits that.

Make room without increasing risk

The priority is to let the emergency vehicle through while keeping control and protecting pedestrians and cyclists. Do not mount the pavement, cross an opposing lane or run a red light when doing so is unsafe or contrary to an officer's directions. Emergency vehicles have specific exemptions while responding, but the law still requires prudence and care.

For example, on a narrow street with parked cars, it may be safer to stop at a clear point than to weave onto the pavement. Near an intersection, keep the vehicle clear of the route and wait until the emergency vehicle has passed. Quiz Patente Ufficiale helps review B rules through chapters, quizzes, explanations and error review; it cannot assess real-time traffic conditions.

Quiz Patente Ufficiale helps review B rules with chapters, quizzes, explanations and error review.