Motorists Must Be More Aware of Emergency Vehicles

SOUTH TOLWORTH, England, April 14, 2015 /PRNewswire/ --

Hearing an emergency vehicle approaching often makes motorists panic regardless of how long they have been driving. Drivers think that the first thing they should do is move out the way but the truth is that there are many other things to consider.

VanQuoteDirect is trying to raise awareness of how important it is to know what you're doing when an emergency vehicle approaches in order to prevent accidents and cut down the time it takes emergency vehicles to arrive at incidents.

In a recent infographic, VanQuoteDirect clearly explains how motorists can safely and legally adapt their driving habits to ensure that they are not in the way of approaching emergency vehicles.

Some of the suggestions include:

Stay Alert: Always ensure that you are aware of what is around you when you are driving. Make sure your music volume is turned down and keep checking your mirrors for any approaching vehicles or cyclists.

Remember: Motorists do not have the same exemptions from the law and the Highway Code as emergency vehicles do e.g. you can't go through a red light to move out of the way.

Stay Calm: Stay calm and plan what you will do but don't slam on your brakes or pull aside without looking as you could create more issues for yourself, other drivers and the emergency vehicle.

Once it's passed: Do not just pull out assuming that the road is clear. Take extra time and care to check your mirrors as other drivers will also be pulling out. There also may be other emergency vehicles approaching for the same reason.

Other advice included in the infographic is what to do should an emergency vehicle approach on a roundabout, motorway or side road.  However, one of the most important things to remember when it comes to preventing accidents is Mirror, Signal and then Manoeuvre.

With the roads becoming increasingly busy it is of the utmost importance that the UK's emergency services are able to negotiate traffic as quickly and easily as possible, which is why drivers need to be more aware of the law and their actions on the road.

About VanQuoteDirect 

VanQuoteDirect is a leading online commercial vehicle insurance broker which helps customers compare a range of quotes and find suitable yet affordable insurance for their needs.. VanQuoteDirect is part of the Bedford Insurance Group who is celebrating their 50^th anniversary this year.