In the United Arab Emirates, traffic authorities recorded a total of 325 violations last year against drivers failing to yield to emergency vehicles, including ambulances, police vehicles, and official convoys.

According to statistics from the Ministry of Interior, the breakdown of these violations is as follows: 107 violations in Abu Dhabi, 160 in Dubai, 17 in Sharjah, 31 in Ajman, five in Ras Al Khaimah, three in Umm Al-Quwain, and two in Fujairah.

The penalty for failing to yield right of way to emergency vehicles is set at 3,000 dirhams, accompanied by a 30-day vehicle impoundment and six traffic points.

In situations where there is no traffic sign or traffic authority personnel to direct traffic at intersections or road junctions, priority is granted to vehicles approaching from a main road.

When roads are of equal status, or at roundabouts and intersections, priority is given to the vehicle coming from the left side.

The new Federal Traffic and Roads Law, which came into effect in March, has specified six types of vehicles that are granted priority in all circumstances: official convoys, civil defense vehicles on duty, patient transport vehicles during missions, military vehicles in convoy formation, police vehicles using sirens and flashing lights, and vehicles providing essential services as designated by specific decrees.

In line with these regulations, the Abu Dhabi Police and the Abu Dhabi Civil Defense Authority launched a campaign entitled "Don’t Hesitate.

Give Way Immediately" in collaboration with the Department of Health and the Department of Municipalities and Transport.

This initiative aims to cultivate a culture of prompt and responsible driving among road users, emphasizing the importance of clearing the way for emergency vehicles to ensure rapid access to accident sites, thereby protecting lives and property.

The Abu Dhabi Police has outlined six situations where drivers must yield to emergency vehicles, which include:

On Main Roads: Emergency vehicles utilize the left lane on main roads, and drivers are required to shift to the right lane as they approach.

During Congestion: Drivers should refrain from using the shoulder of the road, which is reserved for emergency vehicles.

On Internal Roads: In internal roads where no shoulder exists, drivers must allow emergency vehicles to pass by moving to the right or left.

At Intersections: Vehicles on secondary roads with a green signal must stop completely and wait for emergency vehicles that are allowed to pass through red traffic lights.

In Roundabouts: Emergency vehicles must navigate roundabouts cautiously, and other vehicles should yield by not entering the roundabout, while vehicles already in the roundabout continue forward, expanding to the right when possible.

On Dual-Lane Roads: Emergency vehicles navigate through traffic in the center lane, while other vehicles must move to the far right, without exiting onto the shoulder, and opposite traffic should also shift to the far right to allow passage.

Authorities emphasize that delays caused by failure to yield can exacerbate emergencies, especially in cases of fires or medical emergencies.

Yielding is not only critical for the safety of patients or the injured but also protects emergency personnel operating under hazardous conditions, who need swift and safe access to incident locations.