Emergency vehicles – What should you do?

The states and territories of Australia are responsible for their own road rules, but they are reasonably similar nationally, thanks to the Australian Road Rules developed in 1999.

Yet there remain differences in each state regarding emergency vehicle and motorist's obligations.

Here's a handy state-by-state guide of what to do and what not to do, and the penalties that come with not complying.

Here, like the all other states and territories, if an emergency vehicle is approaching with its blue and red lights flashing or siren sounding, you must give way. According to the NSW Road Users Handbook: "That means get out of the way as soon as you can, safely".

It may seem obvious, but if you are facing a green light at an intersection and an emergency vehicle is facing a red, it always has right of way providing its blue and red lights are in use.

The Road Users Handbook also states you must pull over to the left of the road until the emergency vehicle passes and if you don't, it will cost you an on-the-spot-fine and demerit points. But don't drive through a red light, or speed up to get out of the way, you must still obey the road rules.

Interestingly, similar rules apply if you interfere with any vehicle or person that is part of a funeral or procession, or obstruct a procession's journey.

Victorian road rules also state you are to move out of the way of emergency vehicles but add that if you see twin red lights flashing outside a fire or ambulance station, you are obliged to stop and wait for the lights to stop flashing before proceeding.

While there are no automatic penalties, according to the VicRoads website, "If drivers are caught breaking these rules, they may be given fines and demerit points".

The same goes in Queensland; get out of the way as quickly and safely as possibly. But Queensland has also added a couple of smart solutions to their rules:

The Bundaberg Police even have a Myth Busters website covering FAQs about emergency vehicle procedures.

Of course, if you don't play ball, the police will lighten your wallet to the tune of $284 and dock you three points.

Over in the west, the WA Road Safety Commission Fact Sheet and Driver's Handbook, covering emergency vehicles begins with some wise advice.

You must make a reasonable effort, (the eastern states – say you must get out of the way), which depends on circumstances, to give an emergency vehicle a clear route. You must move as far to the left as you can, but not break the law doing so.

If you don't move aside, the state coffers will be $400 better off and you will also lose four demerit points.

In South Australia, you can't travel at any more than 25km/h in an emergency service speed zone, defined by where a stopped emergency vehicle with its lights flashing or between two sets of flashing blue or red lights placed at either end of a length of road, where an emergency vehicle has stopped.

And yes, there are penalties: three points and a $410 fine.

Tasmanian regulations say you have to pull over OR move into another lane of a multi-lane road (on your side of the road) to clear the way, but you're not allowed to drive through a red light. Fines of $200 and three points apply if you obstruct an emergency vehicle and if you are a cyclist, it is $140.

The ACT Road Rules Handbook, says you must provide a clear passage to an emergency vehicle, which includes, moving to the left, stopping or even mounting a gutter, as the video from their website shows.

Up in the Northern Territory it is an offence to inhibit the path of an emergency vehicle and just like NSW, funeral processions are mentioned, where a driver must not interrupt the procession.

Related: What do I do if I’m in a car accident?

Related: If there is a siren and lights move out of the way!

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