Giving Way to Emergency Vehicles

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St John Ambulance WA strives to ensure patients get to definitive hospital care in the quickest, easiest and safest way possible.

To help St John do this, we encourage road users to comply with the Road Traffic Act 2000, which states that “A driver shall give way to, and make every reasonable effort to give a clear and uninterrupted passage to, every police or emergency vehicle that is displaying a flashing blue or red light (whether or not it is also displaying other lights) or sounding an alarm.” 

The simplest and safest way to do this is to:

  • Slow down
  • Keep to your left
  • Don't panic

Above all, remember that while the law says you must give way to emergency vehicles, there’s no point endangering yourself or other drivers in the process – so don’t panic. St John Ambulance paramedics are professionally trained to drive under emergency conditions and make their way safely through the traffic.

The best thing drivers can do is to watch for advancing ambulances, implement those three key points above and let our staff do the rest.