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What do you do if you're driving, hear sirens and see flashing lights? 

This is a question many  drivers to ask themselves when in this situation but it could be too late.

"It's important to know 'before' one hears the sirens and sees the flashing lights what the emergency vehicle drivers expect and Florida law requires. Safe driving near emergency vehicles could mean the difference between life and death." says Florida Accident Attorney, Randall Spivey, Spivey Law Firm, Personal Injury Attorneys, P.A.

 The Florida Department of Motor Vehicles requires that:

• Pull Over -  Pedestrians and drivers are expected to pull over to the closest edge of the roadway and stop until the police cars, fire trucks, ambulances, other law enforcement and tow trucks approach and pass. (Emergency vehicles always have the right-of-way at intersections.) 

• Parked Emergency Vehicles (Move Over Law) - If driving on an interstate or roadway with multiple lanes travelling in the same direction, move over a lane as soon as it's safe to do so.  If you can't, you are required to slow down to a speed 20 MPH below the posted speed limit.  If the speed is 20 MPH or less, driver must slow down to 5 miles per hour. 

• Pay Attention - Stay focused and avoid distractions such as cell phones, radios, and loud music to recognize when emergency vehicles are approaching.

What do you do if you're driving and see a school bus with flashing lights? 

School bus drivers are required by Florida law to use their "yellow" flashing lights to warn drivers they are stopping to either load or unload children.  When these yellow lights flash, drivers are to prepare to stop.  When the bus drivers use their "red" flashing lights and the bus' "Stop" arm is extended, vehicles must stop until all the children have cleared, the red lights are turned off and the Stop arm is retracted.  The rule applies to drivers going in the same direction as the school bus and also to drivers going in the opposite direction unless there is a "raised barrier or unpaved median of 5 feet wide or more". 

Remember, school buses are required by law to stop at railroad crossings.  Be prepared to stop.  On February 7, 2013 a driver in Estero was cited for careless driving when he hit a school bus which was stopping at a railroad crossing.   

"Knowing the 'rules of the road' as they pertain to emergency vehicles and school buses will help keep everyone safer." says Attorney Spivey.

Fort Myers Personal Injury Lawyer, Randall L. Spivey is a Board Certified Civil Trial Attorney – the highest recognition for competence bestowed by the Florida Bar and a distinction earned by less than 2 percent of Florida attorneys. He has handled over 1,500 personal injury and wrongful death cases throughout Florida. For a free and confidential consultation to discuss your legal rights, contact the Spivey Law Firm, Personal Injury Attorneys, P.A., in Lee County at  239. 337.7483 or toll free at 1.888.477.4839, or by email to Randall@SpiveyLaw.com.  Visit SpiveyLaw.com  for more information. You can contact Spivey Law Firm, Personal Injury Attorneys, P.A. in Charlotte County at 941.764.7748 and in Collier County 239.793.7748.