Openai/68900073-6060-8005-a289-f22d439e7f4c

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User: What are the laws in utah for pulling over for ambulances and fire trucks?

What are the laws in utah for pulling over for ambulances and fire trucks? Can you be fined for not pulling over when an ambulance is coming toward you on a 5 lane road such as main street in cedar city?

Assistant: In Utah, yes, you can be fined for failing to properly yield when an ambulance or fire truck is approaching with lights…

In Utah, yes, you can be fined for failing to properly yield when an ambulance or fire truck is approaching with lights and sirens—even on a large road like Cedar City’s Main Street.

🚑 Utah Law: Approaching Emergency Vehicles (Utah Code § 41‑6a‑904)

When an emergency vehicle is moving toward you with lights and sirens:

• You must yield the right‑of‑way by immediately pulling over to the right-hand edge or curb (clear of intersections) and completely stop until it passes Utah LegislatureUtah Legislature.
• This applies regardless of road width or number of lanes—so even on a five‑lane road like Main Street, the rule holds standard.netUtah Legislature.
• Opposing traffic (vehicles coming from the other direction) only needs to yield if the highway is not clearly divided. If there’s a physical median preventing the emergency vehicle from crossing over, those drivers aren’t required to stop standard.net.

When encountering a stationary emergency vehicle (e.g. pulled over at the roadside):

• You must slow down, provide as much space as practical, and—if safe and practical—move one lane away Utah Legislature.

Cedar City Context

Main Street in Cedar City is a public road—not an HOV or special-use lane—so the standard rules apply: even with five lanes, you must pull over to the right and stop if an ambulance or fire truck is approaching with active signals.

Local ordinances don’t override state law on this point. Instead, they reinforce safe driving practices (e.g. speed and reckless driving rules) but don’t modify how emergency vehicle yield laws apply Cedar City.

⚖️ Enforcement: Can You Be Fined?

Yes, violations of Utah Code § 41‑6a‑904 can lead to citations. One public post referencing the move-over law noted that failing to comply can result in fines around $160 Utah Legislature.

🧭 Real-World Commentary (from Utah drivers, r/Utah)

Utah Redditors have shared these insights:

“Because the law isn’t to slow down and pull over, it’s pull over first then stop.”

“If you're already at a stop, stay stopped. The emergency vehicles see where the cars are ahead of them...”

Reddit

These echo official guidance: pull over first, then come to a full stop (if moving), and if you're already stopped at a light or intersection, generally stay stopped unless it’s safe to clear out of their way.

✅ Quick Reference Table

| Scenario | Required Action in Utah | | ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ | | Emergency vehicle approaching with lights/sirens (moving) | Pull over to the right, clear of intersections, stop until it passes | | Opposing traffic traffic on divided highway | No action required if median prevents access | | Encountering stationary emergency vehicle | Slow down, give space, move over one lane if safe | | At a red light or intersection and light turns green while ambulance arrives | If safe and possible, move forward to clear intersection, otherwise remain stopped Reddit +1 highwaysafety.utah.gov +3 Utah Legislature +3 en.wikipedia.org +3 highwaysafety.utah.gov |

Bottom Line

• On Main Street (or any road), you’re required to pull over to the right and stop when an emergency vehicle with lights and sirens is approaching.
• Failing to comply can result in a citation and possible $160 fine.
• The law applies uniformly regardless of the number of lanes or size of the roadway.

Let me know if you’d like help finding the exact legislative text or understanding defenses if you’ve received a citation.