Would you know how to react to an emergency services vehicle on a “blue light” journey? 

North Wales Police, North Wales Fire and Rescue Service and the Welsh Ambulance Service NHS Trust are helping to promote educational content for road users.

If there was an emergency situation where your friend or family member was in danger, you would want the emergency services to get to them as soon as possible. 

Every day the police, ambulance and fire service respond to emergency calls - they use blue lights and sirens to reduce their journey times to reach the scene as quickly and safely as possible.

For emergency service responders, the biggest problem they face when attending these calls is motorists who panic when they see blue lights or hear a siren.

The Leader: Dermot O'Leary (Welsh Ambulance Service), Mark Jat from (North Wales Fire and Rescue Service) and David Roberts of the North Wales Police driver training unitDermot O'Leary (Welsh Ambulance Service), Mark Jat from (North Wales Fire and Rescue Service) and David Roberts of the North Wales Police driver training unit (Image: North Wales Police)

The three emergency services are helping to promote the Blue Light Aware website which contains advice and videos to help motorists know what to do when an emergency vehicle is trying to pass them.

Here are some top tips from Blue Light Aware:

  • Stay calm!
  • Look for somewhere safe to move left and stop.
  • Keep going on the approach to a bend or the brow of a hill then pull over when there’s a better view ahead.
  • Stay out of bus lanes.
  • Keep off kerbs, pavements and soft verges.
  • Don’t block views of traffic islands or pedestrian crossings.
  • Don’t stop near traffic islands.
  • Don’t break the law by going through a Red traffic light, however helpful you’re trying to be.
  • Keep an eye out for more than one emergency vehicle and check before you move off again.

Peter Coole, chief driving instructor for North Wales Police, said “The cooperative use of the available road space is essential to allow Emergency Service Vehicles to respond to incidents swiftly and safely.

"Good observations and mirror use are the most effective way to maintain an all-round awareness.”

Dermot O’Leary, the Welsh Ambulance Service’s Acting Locality Manager in Conwy and Denbighshire, said “In an emergency situation like a cardiac arrest, every second counts, and poor choices by motorists could delay the response to those in need.

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“It’s easy to panic when an emergency vehicle is approaching on lights and sirens, but our crews are highly trained to safely pass other motorists.

“The public can help by remaining calm and remembering those key tips, like looking for somewhere safe to move left and stop."

Mark Jat, Incident Command and Driving School Manager for North Wales Fire and Rescue Service said “If you ever need the emergency services, you will want drivers to make way for them so they can get to you - so please help us help you by informing, educating and spreading the word."