Yielding Right of Way to Emergency Vehicles

People often ask, when being approached by an emergency vehicle with its lights and siren on, what is the proper course of action for other motorists on the road?

Emergency vehicles are normally only operated by fire protection services, ambulance and police services, but it may also include a gas disconnection unit of a public utility. Whether being approached from the front or from behind, the proper course of action for other motorists is to pull as close as practicable to the right curb or edge of the highway when safe to do so. This applies to all highways not divided by a median into separate roadways (i.e. Southview Dr in Medicine Hat) and highways divided by a median into two separate roadways each having not more than 2 traffic lanes (i.e. Dunmore Rd in Medicine Hat)

In the case of a one way highway that is not divided by a median into two separate roadways (i.e. 2nd St or 3rd St SE in downtown Medicine Hat), the motorist shall pull over to the closest practicable curb on either side of the roadway.

In both cases, the motorist shall stop and remain stopped in that position until the emergency vehicle has passed and the person has determined that no other emergency vehicles are approaching from either direction. Failing to yield the right of way for emergency vehicles can result in a $172.00 fine for motorists under Section 65 (1) of the Use of the Highway and Rules of the Road Regulations.