Passing Emergency Vehicles

When an emergency vehicle approaches with its siren on, you must yield the right of way as quickly as possible. As soon as you see or hear the approaching emergency vehicle, you must pull to the right and stop your vehicle.

You should position your vehicle as if parking, next to the curb, if there is one, or as far to the right as is safe if there isn't, but don't block an intersection. Remain in that position until the emergency vehicle is well past you.

Don't "zoom out" right after the emergency vehicle has passed. There will be other vehicles in the road, those previously passed by the emergency vehicle, and you'll have to pay attention and be careful to merge with these vehicles.

As of December 2001, a new law in Wisconsin requires motorists to shift lanes, where possible, to give stopped emergency vehicles or tow trucks a safe zone in which to work.

Under the new law, when approaching an authorized emergency vehicle or tow truck stopped within 12 feet of the pavement and which has its emergency lights operating, you should shift lanes, if possible, leaving the lane next to the emergency vehicle open. If shifting lanes is unsafe, motorists are required to slow until they are past the emergency vehicle.


Wisconsin State Statute 346.072

346.072 Passing stopped emergency vehicles, tow trucks and highway machinery equipment.
346.072(1)
(1) If an authorized emergency vehicle giving visual signal, a tow truck flashing red lamps, as required by s. 347.26(6)(b), or any road machinery or motor vehicle used in highway construction or maintenance displaying the lights specified in s. 347.23(1)(a) or (b), with respect to a motor vehicle, displaying the lights specified in s. 347.26(7), is parked or standing on or within 12 feet of a roadway, the operator of a motor vehicle approaching such vehicle or machinery shall proceed with due regard for all other traffic and shall do either of the following:

346.072(1)(a)
(a) Move the motor vehicle into a lane that is not the lane nearest the parked or standing vehicle or machinery and continue traveling in that lane until safely clear of the vehicle or machinery. This paragraph applies only if the roadway has at least two lanes for traffic proceeding in the direction of the approaching motor vehicle and if the approaching motor vehicle may change lanes safely and without interfering with any vehicular traffic.

346.072(1)(b)
(b) Slow the motor vehicle, maintaining a safe speed for traffic conditions, and operate the motor vehicle at a reduced speed until completely past the vehicle or machinery. This paragraph applies only if the roadway has only one lane for traffic proceeding in the direction of the approaching motor vehicle or if the approaching motor vehicle may not change lanes safely and without interfering with any vehicular traffic.

346.072(2)
(2) In addition to any penalty imposed under s. 346.17(2), any person violating this section shall have his or her operating privilege suspended as provided in s.343.30(10).