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Emergency and special vehicles

What to do when you see vehicles with blue, red or yellow beacons.

2 min read

Blue flashing beacon Has priority

Blue flashing beacon

VehiclesAmbulance, police, fire department, rescue services
Priority & Rules: Has right of way only when combined with an audible siren. May deviate from traffic light and sign requirements (except traffic controller signals).
Duties of other drivers: Other drivers must yield the right of way and pull over/stop if necessary.
Read official law (Chapter IV)
Blue and red flashing beacons Has priority

Blue and red flashing beacons

VehiclesPolice escort vehicles and escorted motorcades
Priority & Rules: Absolute right of way for both the escort vehicle and the escorted convoy.
Duties of other drivers: Overtaking or passing an escorted column is prohibited. Yielding is mandatory.
Read official law (Chapter IV)
Yellow/amber flashing beacon No priority

Yellow/amber flashing beacon

VehiclesRoad maintenance, construction, hazard response, and dangerous goods transport vehicles
Priority & Rules: Does NOT grant right of way in traffic. Serves as a hazard warning.
Duties of other drivers: Permits road work and deviation from markings and select signs while ensuring safety.
Read official law (Chapter IV)
Flashing lunar-white beacon No priority

Flashing lunar-white beacon

VehiclesArmored cash transit (cash-in-transit) and postal service vehicles
Priority & Rules: Does NOT grant right of way. Activated only in case of attack to draw attention.
Duties of other drivers: Imposes no special driving duties on other drivers.
Read official law (Chapter IV)
Special audible signal (siren) Has priority

Special audible signal (siren)

VehiclesAll emergency and operational service vehicles
Priority & RulesCombined with a beacon, grants full priority at intersections and on the road.
Duties of other driversDrivers must promptly clear the lane and ensure unobstructed passage.
Read official law (Chapter IV)
1

Blue beacon and siren

Give way to a vehicle approaching with a blue beacon and special siren. With blue and red beacons, slow down and also give way to the vehicles it escorts. Such a driver may use priority only after making sure others are giving way.

Based on the official rules:Clause 28Clause 29Clause 26
2

Stationary special vehicles

When approaching a stationary vehicle with a blue (or blue and red) beacon, slow down so that you can stop immediately if needed. When approaching a stationary vehicle with a red beacon, stop and continue only after receiving permission.

Based on the official rules:Clause 30Clause 31
3

Yellow and orange beacons

Yellow or orange beacons do not give priority; they warn of a hazard (road works, oversized or dangerous loads).

Based on the official rules:Clause 32Clause 33
4

Overtaking

Overtaking a vehicle with a blue beacon and siren on, or a vehicle with blue and red beacons or one it escorts, is prohibited.

Based on the official rules:Clause 77 (6)Clause 77 (7)

Remember

  • ✓ Blue + siren: give way
  • ✓ Stationary vehicle with a red beacon: stop and wait for permission
  • ✓ Yellow/orange beacons give no priority

Common mistakes

  • ✗ Overtaking a vehicle with a blue beacon and siren on
  • ✗ Thinking a vehicle with a yellow beacon has priority

Next topic

Road markings