At some point in time, a motorist can encounter the flashing lights and sirens of an emergency vehicle on a road. Such a situation can be challenging for some motorists, especially if they have not experienced it before. Sharing a road with an emergency vehicle involves the understanding of several road safety practices that need to be followed to avoid traffic penalties and dangerous road situations.
It is important to understand how emergency vehicles operate on different types of roads. This information can help motorists in adjusting their driving style whenever they see an emergency vehicle. Motorists must know that they can face serious traffic penalties for not allowing emergency vehicles the right of way.
In a bid to promote awareness on safety practices that should be followed while sharing the road with emergency vehicles, the Dubai Police has issued an advisory. In a recently released video, the Dubai Police has outlined road safety guidelines that should be followed while sharing the road with emergency vehicles. The video explains how emergency vehicles approach their destination and how they operate on different types of roads such as intersections, roundabouts or highways.
Details of the Advisory Issued by Dubai Police
The Dubai Police has been at the forefront of initiatives taken for the well-being of motorists. In a recent initiative, the Dubai Police has released a video to explain the safety protocols that motorists should follow when they see an emergency vehicle on the road. Dubai Police has also explained how pedestrians should react when they see a fast-approaching emergency vehicle.
Here are the safety tips that motorists and pedestrians must follow on different types of roads when they see an emergency vehicle:
On Highways
Emergency vehicles use the left-hand lane on the highways, however, in the event of congestion, emergency vehicles use the road shoulder. Motorists must move to the right-hand lane when they see a fast-approaching emergency vehicle. Motorists must also avoid driving on the road shoulder as it can increase the risk of colliding with an emergency vehicle. Motorists will also have to face a fine of AED 1,000 and 6 black points will be issued against their license for driving on the road shoulder.
On Internal Roads
On internal roads, emergency vehicles drive between the vehicles, so motorists need to move to right or left whenever they see an emergency vehicle on an internal road.
At Intersections
Emergency vehicles make their way by driving between the vehicles and they can jump the red signal after stopping for a moment. It is important for other motorists to make way for emergency vehicles while vehicles on the other side of the road must stop when the emergency vehicle is crossing the road.
Motorists should also avoid jumping the red signal with the emergency vehicles as they will have to pay a fine of AED 1,000 for this violation and 12 black points will be issued against their driving license. Motorists must also know that their vehicle will be confiscated for 30 days if they are booked for jumping the red signal.
At Roundabouts
Sharing the road with an emergency vehicle near a roundabout can be tricky for most of the motorists. This is where motorists need to be more careful and comply with the safety practices for sharing the road with an emergency vehicle.
Motorists must not enter their vehicles at the roundabout when an emergency vehicle is using the roundabout. However, if motorists are already inside the roundabout, they should keep moving, exit the round and move to the right lane as soon as possible.
Pedestrians must not cross the Zebra Crossing
When there is an emergency vehicle on the road, pedestrians must allow it time to cross and avoid using the zebra crossing.
Bottom-line
Emergency vehicles play an important role in dealing with unexpected situations quickly. There are several relaxations in traffic rules for emergency vehicles, which adds to the importance of understanding the driving adjustments that motorists must make while sharing the road with these vehicles.
Motorists and pedestrians have been advised by traffic authorities to follow safety protocols whenever they see an emergency vehicle on the road. Emergency vehicles must reach their destination quickly, which makes it extremely important for other commuters to cooperate and allow emergency vehicles the right of way.
Not allowing the right of way to emergency vehicles is a serious violation that can result in serious penalties. Motorists can avoid traffic penalties and dangerous road situations by following the safety protocols outlined by authorities in Dubai.
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