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Giving way to emergency vehicles in Singapore

Highway Code and SPF guidance on recognizing and safely giving way to emergency vehicles, including the published DIPS points and composition fines.

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主要来源： https://sso.agc.gov.sg/SL/RTA1961-R11?ProvIds=pr107-

The Highway Code says drivers must give way when they hear the siren or see the flashing lights of an emergency vehicle. The Code's listed vehicles are those used for ambulance, fire brigade, military, police, customs or civil defence purposes (Singapore Statutes Online, Highway Code, para. 107).

The Code advises drivers to stay calm and check the direction of the emergency vehicle. Signal early and filter towards the left if it is safe, rather than waiting until the last minute. If it is not safe to filter left, slow down to let the emergency vehicle overtake (Singapore Statutes Online, Highway Code, para. 107).

Road Traffic Rules r. 12 separately gives an authorised ambulance or vehicle used for fire, military, police, civil defence or customs purposes priority over other traffic on an urgent duty call when it makes its approach known by a distinctive siren, bell or multi-toned horn. Other traffic must draw close to either edge of the road and stop to provide a clear passage; this action is required only while the emergency vehicle gives its recognised audible warning. The rule does not remove the emergency driver’s liability for dangerous, rash or negligent driving (Singapore Statutes Online, current Road Traffic Rules, r. 12).

Do not speed up to block an emergency vehicle, overtake it, or tailgate it. The Code also says not to break the law to give way, giving driving through a red light as an example (Singapore Statutes Online, Highway Code, para. 107).

SPF's current Final Theory of Driving handbook repeats the priority rule: emergency vehicles on call should be able to move ahead quickly and safely, and sirens or flashing lights should prompt drivers to give way by moving left, slowing, or stopping if necessary (SPF, Final Theory of Driving, p. 99). SPF's penalty table lists failing to give way to emergency vehicles as a 4-point DIPS offence, with composition fines of $150 for light vehicles and $200 for heavy vehicles (SPF, Penalties for Traffic Offences).

OneMotoring’s EMAS captions include “look out and give way to ambulance” and “look out and give way to fire engine” (LTA OneMotoring, Driving Rules and Information). Emergency vehicles such as fire engines, ambulances, and Singapore Police Force and Singapore Civil Defence Force vehicles are allowed to exceed the speed limit while on official duty (LTA OneMotoring, Driving Rules and Information).

The current exemption order provides that section 120(3) of the Road Traffic Act does not apply to an SCDF member driving a Government-registered ambulance when responding to an emergency call or transporting a person to hospital. It also exempts an SCDF member driving a Government-registered non-ambulance SCDF emergency vehicle, used for operations protecting life, health or safety, when responding to an emergency call. The order names these drivers and circumstances and disapplies section 120(3); it does not state a general exemption from all road rules (Singapore Statutes Online, Road Traffic (Singapore Civil Defence Force Emergency Vehicle Drivers — Exemption) Order 2019, rr. 3–4).

SCDF’s published motorist advisory describes the safeguards for an ambulance proceeding past a red light or making an unauthorised U-turn in a life-threatening emergency: the driver must sound the siren, activate the blinker lights, slow down and come to a complete halt at the junction to assess traffic before proceeding. This is guidance for the exempt SCDF driver; other motorists must continue to obey traffic signals while giving way (SCDF, ambulance motorist advisory).

Scope

This article covers emergency-vehicle yielding under Highway Code paragraph 107. Other driving rules are covered in their relevant articles.

Coverage debt

  • Military, customs, and civil defence vehicles are named in Highway Code paragraph 107 but not in the Traffic Police composition row’s examples.

Sources