The police, ambulances and fire rescue vehicles can drive through traffic jams faster

The police, ambulances and fire rescue vehicles can drive through traffic jams faster
15/8/2018Press releases

When entering a traffic jam, drivers must create the so-called "rescue aisle" between the left and the adjacent lane. This amendment to the road traffic act was passed today by the Senate. This is the same isle as in the neighbouring countries. Fire rescue vehicles and ambulances can also combine the blue and red beacon.

The police, ambulances and fire rescue vehicles can drive through traffic jams faster

"We need to align the Czech rules with Germany, Austria and (soon) Slovakia. Plus every driver should, like in the neighbouring countries, learn how to create the rescue isle already when entering the traffic jam from the back," says the transport minister Dan Ťok.
 
Now, cars must go aside to the right if driving in the middle or right lane and to the left if in the fast lane. The rescue isle will be therefore created in the middle lane.
 
"Only vehicles with the right of way may enter this space, including road administrator's vehicles and vehicles needed for removing the consequences of the traffic accident or road obstacle," the amendment says. Any unauthorised entry of the isle may be subject to a penalty up to CZK 2500. It is also important that drivers create the isle on time, i.e. already when making their way slowly through the traffic jam. Once the car has stopped, it is more difficult to go aside when the rescue vehicle is approaching from the back.
 
This amendment passed by the Senate also allows the vehicles of the Integrated Rescue System using the red beacon for better visibility. The changes shall apply from October after being signed by the president. BESIP will demonstrate to the drivers how to create the rescue isle and explain why it is so important for the rescue vehicles.
 
§ 41 par. 8 of the road traffic act:

 
"If the motorway or road with at least two lanes is not freely passable due to a traffic jam consisting of standing or slowly moving vehicles, drivers are obliged to create space between the driving lanes for the passage of vehicles with the right of way. To do this, drivers are allowed to enter the road shoulder of middle dividing lane. If there are more than two driving lanes in the same direction, this space shall be created between the lane which is the last on the left and the adjacent lane. Only vehicles with the right of way may enter this space, including vehicles of the road administrator and vehicles needed for the removal of the consequences of the traffic accident of road obstacle."

 



 
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