Does a firetruck have the right of way in every situation?

Question

such as passing with a double yellow line on a rural road with no shoulder and if they choose to pass do they have to have on their siren as well as the lights

such as passing with a double yellow line with only lights no siren, (just the small firetruck) at an intersection

Answer 1

"Right-of-way" is a strong phrase.

A driver of an emergency vehicle traveling with the waring devices on (sirens, lights, or both) is "asking" for the right of way. When you see them, it's your job to yield to them, be it pulling to the side of the road or stopping at an intersection. I drove emergency vehicles for years and it's tricky because you CANNOT just assume everyone is going to yield and you'll do nobody any good at all if you hit someone else trying to get to your destination. Intersections are the toughest by far!

Saxman was one of the few other answerers who had it right.

The second part of the question is do they have to have both sirens and lights on? Technically, yes, however, just because one of the two isn't operating doesn't mean you can just ignore them.

Answer 2

With lights and sirens on, they have a preferential right of way (there's no such thing as absolute right of way, ever) and can disobey traffic signals only if it is safe to do so. They are at all times required to operate the vehicle with due care.

Answer 3

In the state of MN, an emergency vehicle must activate a light or siren before it can disobey traffic signals and controls (signs, lights, lines painted on the road)...

Answer 4

Maine law gives the right-of-way to emergency vehicles when they are going to a call and they have lights flashing AND siren or bell on. This law is consistent with other states'.

Answer 5

any emergency response vehicle has the right of way when their lights are on, and do not have to abide by standard traffic laws. In some areas you can actually be ticketed for hindering or following closely to them when the sirens are on.

Answer 6

If they are in response to a fire or emergency call then yes they could drive however they want in order to get to there destination the quickest way possible.....if they are not in responce to a call then they have to follow the rules just like everone else

Answer 7

The firetruck must be in the state of emergency to be able to break traffic laws. Otherwise, it must be driven safely, just like other drivers.

Answer 8

They do not automatically have right of way, but if they have the twos and blues on, it's courteous (sp?) to let them through.

They may disobey traffic laws a) if it is safe and b) if their reason is justifyable (it probably will be for a fire engine).

Remember that you are not allowed to break any laws in order to make way for them.

(These are the rules in the UK)

Answer 9

They can ignore all traffic rules, even go into opposing lanes if necessary and it is safe at that moment. Not sure about the siren thing.

I would just drop it if I were you unless you were injured.

Answer 10

If they have the lights on, they have right of way in every situation involving a civilian vehicle. If they chose to pass you in the situation described, you should slow to let them pass quickly.

Always yield to emergency vehicles. Who knows, they may be on their way to help one of your loved ones...