§ 31-17-6 — § 31-17-6. Yielding to emergency vehicle.

§ 31-17-6. Yielding to emergency vehicle.

(a) Upon the immediate approach of an authorized emergency vehicle equipped with at least one lighted lamp exhibiting any one or combination of red, blue, or white light visible under normal atmospheric conditions from a distance of five hundred feet (500′) to the front of the vehicle, and producing an audible signal by siren, exhaust whistle, or bell, the driver of every other vehicle shall yield the right-of-way and shall immediately drive to a position parallel to, and as close as possible to, the right-hand edge or curb of the roadway clear of any intersection and shall stop and remain in that position until the authorized emergency vehicle has passed, except when otherwise directed by a police officer.

(b) This section shall not operate to relieve the driver of an authorized emergency vehicle from the duty to drive with due regard for the safety of all persons using the highway.

Legislative History

P.L. 1950, ch. 2595, art. 28, § 5; G.L. 1956, § 31-17-6; P.L. 1993, ch. 369, § 1; P.L. 1999, ch. 446, § 1.