Abu Dhabi issues guidelines for motorists on giving way to emergency vehicles

Abu Dhabi Police and Abu Dhabi Civil Defence Authority are calling on motorists to facilitate the passage of emergency vehicles and not to hesitate to clear the way for them as part of the ‘Don't Hesitate, Give Way Immediately’ campaign.

This is done in co-operation with the Department of Health Abu Dhabi and the Department of Municipalities and Transport, represented by the Integrated Transport Centre.

The campaign organisers emphasised that giving way is not an option, but rather a human and moral duty that helps reduce response times and save lives. The campaign outlined six key guidelines that motorists must follow when making way for emergency vehicles:

Main Roads: On main roads, when you hear an emergency vehicle’s siren or see its light, move immediately to the right lane, as emergency vehicles use the left lane.

Traffic jams: Emergency vehicles use road shoulders, if any. Hence, other vehicles are prohibited from using road shoulders.

Internal Roads: Emergency vehicles weave their way between traffic. When they are spotted, motorists must immediately move right or left to clear the way.

Intersections: Motorists are required not to hesitate to clear the intersection and to avoid pursuing emergency vehicles. When you hear the siren of or see an emergency vehicle, do not hesitate to yield to them by moving right and left

If the light is red, they may cross after stopping for a moment, then proceed with caution. You must yield to them without jumping the red light. In this case, vehicles on side roads at a green light must come to a complete stop and wait.

Roundabouts and Squares: Emergency vehicles should approach roundabouts and squares with caution. When you hear the siren of or see an emergency vehicle, do not hesitate to give way to it by not entering the roundabout. If you are already inside the roundabout, proceed and move to the right as soon as possible.

Two-lane roads: Emergency vehicles travel in the centre of the road. On two-lane roads, if you hear the siren of or see an emergency vehicle, do not hesitate to yield to it by moving to the far right. Vehicles coming from the opposite direction should also move to the far right.