Emergency responders are frequently required to respond to an emergency with lights and sirens. These responders may be law enforcement, ambulances or fire apparatus. Delays in their response may be the difference between life and death. All motorists must remember to yield to emergency vehicles to assure they can quickly and safely arrive to render help. Fail to yield right of way to emergency vehicles has a fine of $326.40 and 4 demerit points. Wisconsin State Statute 346.19 346.19(1)(1) states: Upon the approach of any authorized emergency vehicle giving audible signal by siren the operator of a vehicle shall yield the right-of-way and shall immediately drive such vehicle to a position as near as possible and parallel to the right curb or the right-hand edge of the shoulder of the roadway, clear of any intersection and, unless otherwise directed by a traffic officer, shall stop and remain standing in such position until the authorized emergency vehicle has passed. Captain Trace Frost of the Sheriff’s Office says, “Emergency responders need to arrive at locations without delay. Often every second counts and being delayed can have dire consequences for those who emergency responders are trying to help.”
