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Road scene · Emergency vehicles

An emergency vehicle comes up behind you

When a siren or flashing lights come up behind, ease over to the left once it is safe and let it pass.

Road Rules 2014 (NSW) rule 78Asked in road safetyShown in 2 practice questions

What it means

An emergency vehicle comes up behind you: what is the rule?

On a road with two lanes each way and a double centre line, the yellow car is in the right lane. Behind it, a white emergency vehicle with a red stripe and lit roof bar sends out red siren waves. The yellow car signals left and its yellow path curves into the empty left lane, opening the way straight ahead. It does not brake hard or race off.

What to do

  1. 1

    Check your mirrors and signal left.

  2. 2

    Move across smoothly when the lane beside you is clear.

  3. 3

    Let the vehicle pass, then rejoin traffic with care.

Practice questions with this scene

You hear a siren and see flashing lights in your mirror. What must you do?

Right.Not quite. The answer is A.

Make room for the emergency vehicle without braking suddenly or putting others at risk.

Source: Road Rules 2014 (NSW) rule 78

You are in the right lane of a multi-lane road when a police car with its siren on comes up behind you. What do you do?

Right.Not quite. The answer is C.

You must get out of an emergency vehicle's path as soon as you can do so safely. Sudden braking or racing ahead puts everyone at risk.

Source: Road Rules 2014 (NSW) rule 78

Common questions

Do you have to pull over for an ambulance in NSW?
You must get out of its path as soon as you safely can, usually by easing over to the left.
Does an emergency vehicle need both a siren and lights for you to move?
No. Either a siren or flashing blue or red lights is enough.
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A practice question in NSW Learner answered correctly, with the explanation card
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