Sioux Falls Fire Rescue would like to provide some friendly reminders about safely sharing the road with EMS and other emergency vehicles. The winter and inclement weather that we have been unseasonably avoiding will inevitably occur, creating hazardous driving conditions for all that use the road. So please take a few moments to understand the following tips and rules about interacting with emergency vehicles.

• Large emergency vehicles, like fire trucks, need extra distance to stop and maneuver. When the weather creates adverse roadways, all vehicles become less maneuverable. Due to the size of fire trucks, they don’t have the ability to stop or make emergency adjustments as quickly as ordinary passenger vehicles.
  
  
• South Dakota’s Move Over Law
• South Dakota state statute requires motorists in South Dakota to stop when coming from any direction and approaching any stopped authorized emergency vehicle using red visual signals/lights. The law also requires you to move over and slow down when passing any vehicle displaying amber or yellow flashing signals/lights.
  
  
• Keep Right
• Yield to emergency vehicles with flashing lights and sirens. Safely and immediately move to the right-hand edge of the roadway clear of any intersection. If you’re unable to move safely to the right-hand edge of the roadway, please move as far as possible to the right and more importantly, come to a complete stop so the driver of the emergency vehicle has a better chance of knowing your intentions.

During all weather conditions, taking a few extra minutes during your commute to obey safe driving habits and laws will help ensure that we make it to the emergency and you make it to your destination.