ROCKINGHAM COUNTY, VA (Rocktown Now) — Rockingham County Fire and Rescue officials say that over the past couple months, their personnel have faced increasing challenges when responding to emergency calls.

The RCFR offers the following guidelines for motorists when approached by an emergency vehicle responding to a call.

DO:

  • Pull to the nearest edge of the roadway and come to a complete stop until all emergency vehicles have passed, customarily this is to the right.
  • Be alert to the approach of more than one emergency vehicle. Be sure to check your rearview mirror before pulling back on the travel lane.
  • Keep the volume of your radio to a level that will not interfere with your ability to hear approaching emergency vehicles.
  • Use your turn signal when pulling off the road. This sends a message to the emergency vehicle operator that you are aware of their presence.

DON’T:

  • Cross double yellow lines into oncoming traffic.
  • Block any intersection – Blocking intersections, even when attempting to yield to an emergency vehicle, is dangerous.
  • Follow an emergency vehicle responding to an emergency closer than 500 feet -It’s against the law.
  • Stop on a bridge, curve, or crest of a hill – Instead, activate your turn signal and proceed forward until you can safely pull over and come to a complete stop.
  • Slam on you brakes or stop directly in front of an emergency vehicle – Large trucks require more stopping distance than passenger cars. Stopping abruptly in front of any large vehicle can have deadly consequences.