Filenews 18 February 2026
Giving priority to emergency vehicles is vital or can be life-saving for our fellow citizens. When an emergency vehicle, such as an ambulance, police or fire truck, approaches, with beacons and sirens on, drivers are obliged to give way, the Police said in a statement.
It is noted that incidents of non-compliance have been observed especially at light-controlled intersections where fixed photo-marking devices operate, apparently due to the drivers' fear of a possible recording of a violation.
The Police informs that according to the current legislation, drivers must give priority to a vehicle approaching them, when it is an ambulance or a vehicle of the Police or the Military Police of the National Guard or the Fire Service or a fire truck of the Department of Forests or a Civil Defense vehicle or a lifeguard vehicle, given that it has its beacons and siren lit.
"Drivers must immediately drive their vehicle to a position as close as possible to the side of the road and stop it until the official vehicle passes," it is stated.
Failure to comply with this obligation carries a prison sentence of up to one year or a fine of up to three thousand euros (€3,000) or both.
Regarding the event that drivers are reported by the Photo-Marking System for a traffic violation, the Police informs that at their request they will take the appropriate actions to delete it.
It is worth noting that the time spent in the event of an emergency incident for which an emergency vehicle is called to respond and go to the scene of the incident is critical and valuable, for the purpose of saving life and property, since a delay of even one minute can make the difference between life and death.
By providing space, the risk of a road collision is reduced which can endanger both other road users and personnel staffing an emergency vehicle. The unhindered passage of an emergency vehicle allows it to reach its destination on time and safely and in this way the personnel involved can respond effectively, so that if possible the danger presented can be reduced or eliminated.
