Emergency vehicles and duties of other road users

Vehicles used for police, fire brigade, civil protection, mountain rescue, ambulances, and other equivalent emergency services may use the supplementary warning siren and, if equipped, the flashing blue light, but only when they are carrying out an urgent official service. This means that these devices cannot be used freely or for convenience, but only when there is a real emergency connected with the vehicle’s official function. The same rule also applies to certain motorcycles used in medical emergencies and to some rescue vehicles, including in certain cases those used for animal rescue or animal protection services, according to the applicable rules.

When an emergency vehicle uses both the siren and the flashing blue light at the same time, its driver is not required to obey the normal traffic obligations and prohibitions, road signs, or general traffic restrictions. However, this freedom is not unlimited. Traffic officers’ signals must always be obeyed and, above all, the driver must still drive with prudence and due care. In other words, even in an emergency, the driver may not needlessly endanger other road users.

Other road users are required to make way for these vehicles. As soon as they hear the warning siren, they must leave a clear path and, if necessary, stop. This duty applies not only on the road used by the emergency vehicle, but also on nearby roads close to junctions. It is also forbidden to follow an emergency vehicle closely in order to take advantage of the space it creates in traffic. This behavior is dangerous and prohibited because it may obstruct the rescue operation and create further risks.

In certain special situations involving gradual slowing of traffic, carried out by vehicles used to regulate vehicle flow or for safety reasons, it is forbidden to overtake those vehicles. Drivers following them must slow down gradually, activate the hazard warning lights, and obey any instructions given by the officers or operators present on the road. This rule is meant to prevent sudden manoeuvres and accidents when traffic is being controlled or slowed down for safety reasons.

Anyone who improperly uses the supplementary warning siren or the blue light without authorization commits a violation. The same applies to anyone who fails to give way to emergency vehicles, follows them too closely, or overtakes vehicles engaged in traffic-slowing procedures. In the more serious cases, suspension of the driving licence may also apply.

For theory exam preparation, it is important to remember one essential principle: emergency vehicles have special traffic privileges only when they are carrying out an urgent service and are correctly using the required devices. All other road users must immediately cooperate by clearing the way, avoiding obstacles, and not taking advantage of the situation.