Emergency Safety Vehicle Awareness:

What is an emergency vehicle?

An emergency vehicle is defined as a police vehicle, ambulance or fire truck. These vehicles may have red, white or a combination of red and white lights which, when responding to an emergency, are constantly moving. (See Section 375 (41) of the Vehicle & Traffic Law.)

What should I do if I am approached by an emergency vehicle with its light and sirens going?

• When approached (from the front or rear) by an emergency vehicle whose light and siren are activated the driver of every other vehicle must yield the right of way.
• In yielding the right of way, you must drive immediately to the right hand edge or curb of the roadway, parallel to the roadway, and clear of any intersection.
• You must stop and remain stopped until the emergency vehicle or vehicles have passed, unless otherwise directed by a police officer. (See Section 1144 of the Vehicle & Traffic Law.)

How far must I park from a fire hydrant?

Unless otherwise indicated by pavement markings, parking meters or official signs, you may not park within 15 feet of a fire hydrant. You may not stop or stand within 15 feet of a fire hydrant unless a licensed driver is in the front seat so the vehicle may be immediately moved in the event of an emergency.

What do different colored flashing lights mean on personal vehicles?

These lights are only to be used in the event of an emergency operation. The people who display and use these lights must have written permission from the authorized chief officer of the organization for which they are volunteering.

	A flashing blue light indicates a volunteer fire fighter responding to an emergency call.
	A flashing green light indicates a volunteer ambulance service member responding to an emergency call.
	A flashing amber light, indicates a hazard vehicle engaged in a hazardous operation (i.e., snowplow, tow-truck, utility company vehicle). NOTE: In cities with a population over 1 million, a flashing amber light may be used on the vehicle of an individual who is a member of a volunteer civil or crime patrol.

What should I do if I am approached by a personal vehicle with a colored light flashing?

These are not emergency vehicles. Their drivers must obey all traffic laws. You need not yield the right of way to these vehicles. However, if you can do so safely, you should yield the right of way to vehicles with blue or green flashing lights as a courtesy. Also, be cautious in the vicinity of a hazard vehicle.

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Fall Safety Driving Tips

School Buses are back on the roads!
Watch out for school buses and children. Please remember that you must stop if you are following or approaching a school bus with its red lights flashing. It's the law!
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Will you be traveling in New York State? Check these sites for construction areas and anticipated delays.
•The Thruway website lists areas of construction.
•The NYS Department of Transportation website lists construction areas on other roads in New York State.
Remember, in road work zones fines are doubled.

Regular Brakes and ABS Brakes:There is difference in the way that regular brakes and ABS brakes need to be used and the way they work. Please familiarize yourself with the braking systems of the vehicles you drive BEFORE you need to try to make a quick stop. For more information on these differences see our Vehicle Issues Page for links to information on ABS.

Wet leaves can be as slippery as ice!
If it is rainy and wet, please watch for patches of wet leaves in the roadway.

Studded Snow Tires
Studded snow tires may be on your vehicle from October 16 through April 30.

Time to "fall back", not asleep!!
Sunday, November 6 is the day that the clocks are turned back one hour. That one hour change can have several effects:

•Turning the clock back affects your body's internal clock.
•You are likely to be fatigued until your body has adjusted to the time change.
•You may be commuting in the dark more frequently, which you haven't done in six months.
•Incidences of drowsy driving crashes are much higher during the first weeks following the time changes.

After the time change
In the fall and winter, with nights coming early and fog often occurring, be sure to have your head lights on and follow at a safe distance.

During hunting season, deer will be trying to avoid hunters and may cross roadways.
Please see our page of tips for avoiding crashes with deer.

Getting your snowmobile ready for winter?
Snowmobile information is available at the Department of Motor Vehicles and the Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation. 

Wear your helmet when snowmobiling - it's the law!