Emergency vehicles using blue lights and sirens have legal exemptions for speed limits, red lights and keep-left signs. When they’re trying to make progress, they’re asking drivers to help create a safe route.

If possible, motorists should move over safely to allow them past. There’s no need to mount kerbs, swerve, or make sudden movements — crews won’t come through until they know the driver has seen them.

If a driver is waiting at a red light, they should move aside if they can, but must not drive through the red light. That’s still an offence and could lead to fines, points, or liability if a collision occurs.

When emergency crews can’t get through, they’ll use effective non-use — lights stay on but the siren goes off — meaning they’ll come through when it’s safe.

Police also stress that stopping suddenly isn’t always helpful. Sometimes it’s safer to keep moving until there’s a clear and safe place for the emergency vehicle to pass. Stopping on bends, hill brows or opposite another vehicle can make things harder.