Legal Question in Traffic Law in Virginia

Emergency vehicles

I know if an Emergency vehicle is approaching you from behind you pull over and give them the right of way but what if they are coming down the other lane going in the opposite direction. I have looked in the DMV booklet but all it says is to give them the right of way but if they already have the right of way does opposing traffic have to stop, if so would it be different if it were multiple lanes or a physical median.


Asked on 11/26/07, 11:20 am

1 Answer from Attorneys
Michael Hendrickson Law Office Michael E. Hendrickson

Re: Emergency vehicles

No, traffic going in the direction opposite to the emergency vehicle is not required to stop. However, if the emergency vehicle was required to cross over into the opposite lane for whatever reason, traffic in that lane would be expected to pull to the side or take whatever avoidance action that was necessary to allow it to pass as expeditiously and safely as possible.

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Answered on 11/26/07, 3:08 pm


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