MEDIA RELEASE

Hawaiʻi Island police are reminding motorists to yield to emergency vehicles traveling with lights and sirens.

According to state law, motorists are required to yield the right of way to emergency vehicles. Motorists shall immediately drive to a position clear of any intersection and as close as possible to the right hand edge of the highway and shall stop until the authorized emergency vehicle has passed, except as otherwise directed by a police officer.

For the exact wording of the law, go Hawaiʻi Revised Statutes and navigate to HRS 291C-65.

HRS 291C-65 is unrelated to the recently passed “Move Over Law” which requires motorists approaching a stopped emergency vehicle with flashing lights to slow to a “prudent speed” and, if possible, move a lane away from the stopped emergency vehicle.