Notfalldienste unterwegs: Blaulicht im Rückspiegel: Wie Sie jetzt reagieren müssen

In the hustle and bustle of the big city, it's no longer uncommon for a car trip to be anything but relaxed. With buses, streetcars, pedestrians, and cyclists all vying for space, and the traffic light already showing red, there's no half-minute of peace. If the rearview mirror flashes blue and the loud Martinshorn sounds, it means emergency vehicles are approaching.

What should a driver do in such a situation? Vinzenz Kasch, spokesperson for the Berlin Fire Department, offers some advice on how to stay calm and find a safe solution. If a police, fire, or rescue vehicle approaches with blue lights and a siren, the driver must immediately create a clear path. This means giving way to the emergency vehicles and adhering to the right of way rules.

However, one must not endanger oneself or others in the process. The utmost duty is to avoid endangering anyone else while creating space, but breaking traffic rules is permissible if necessary, such as running a red light to enter a junction and clear the way. Sometimes, others may hesitate to break traffic rules, like going through a red light to squeeze into a junction or pull over to the side.

Kasch suggests maintaining a safe distance from the vehicle in front to be prepared for such situations. If stuck in an intersection, one should ask in advance where they could move. Usually, there's space to move to the side of the road, along the bicycle lane, or onto the sidewalk, or at least move as far as the edge of the road to create a makeshift road.

If others in the intersection can't create space and form a road clearance, the driver is also responsible. They should proceed forward, perhaps onto the junction, to allow the emergency vehicle to pass and open the road clearance. If the driver flashes their headlights while making space for the emergency vehicle, they may contest the notice and point out the special operation they performed.

Authorities will then verify whether this actually happened. It's advisable to state immediately, "I made space for a fire truck," or "I made space for a rescue vehicle," or "I made space for a police vehicle." This way, the authorities will know precisely where to inquire. While drivers may deviate from the rules to fulfill their duty to create space, they must ensure they don't endanger others.

Vinzenz Kasch, Director of the Public Relations and Spokesperson for the Berlin Fire Department, advises caution to prevent further harm.