Fact Check: Do New Yorkers Need to Pull Over for Blue Lights?

Sometimes there's an important distinction between the letter of the law, and the spirit of the law. With several different types of emergency response vehicles (and lights), it's important for drivers to know exactly what the differences are.

While the red, blue, and white lights of ambulances and police cruisers are commonplace in New York (and require drivers to let them pass), there are other emergency lights as well, and they have different laws surrounding them

What Blue Emergency Lights Mean in New York

"PSA… when you are out on the roads and you notice a vehicle coming up behind with a blue light [flashing], pull over and let them pass you", read a recent Facebook post from a local first responder. Blue lights signify a volunteer firefighter responding to a call... but does the law require drivers to yield?

Meaning of Volunteer First Responder Lights in New York

In New York State, both blue and green-only emergency lights are reserved for volunteer first responders. Blue signifies a volunteer firefighter, while green denotes a volunteer ambulance service. While it is helpful (and often encouraged) to pull over for these vehicles, it is not required by law.

Sirens Vs. No Sirens in New York

"[While] it’s not required [to pull over], you’re delaying an emergency vehicle from responding or rapid first aid from being performed", argued a local first responder. "The call they are en route to could be a family member or neighbor".

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The comment section was flooded with residents agreeing that there was little sense in refusing to pull over to allow a volunteer emergency responder to arrive to a call more quickly. In the Hudson Valley, it seems, the spirit of the law is followed more closely than the letter.