What to do when approached by a Notarzt SUV on a narrow countryside road?

10 comments

1. Slow down significantly, switch on the turning lights on the right to signal clearly that you’ve seen the car and let it pass on the left

2. Stop only when it is safe for the emergency car to overtake you. This bend in the picture is not safe to stop in front or in the bend.

3. Definitely don’t throw your car to the left to let them pass on the right side. If there is oncoming traffic you might both be in need for a Notarzt as well if you do that.

   Always try to let them pass on the left by driving as far on the right as you can without endangering yourself. Slowing down depends on the situation a little. Generally good but if you already see that there is oncoming traffic and no way for you to safely let the ambulance pass you driving super slow just means that they’re stuck driving slowly behind you until the oncoming traffic is gone.

4. >quickly with their lights on. No siren sound.

   Doesn’t matter if it has siren sound or lights or both. It means the same.

   >What am I supposed to do in a situation like this?

   Yout duty is to make a free way for them as quick as possible. It does not say *how* you have to do it – so you are required to use your brain and decide according to the possibilities. You should NOT put yourself in danger, but it is OK to disregard some ‘smaller’ traffic rules in such a situation, as long as everybody stays safe.

5. It is actually allowed to speed up until emergency vehicles can pass.
   Imagine single lane on the highway, Notarzt arrives from behind – pedal to the metal until the Notarzt can pass.

6. No siren sound because not in agglomeration, example on a country road… your behavior was right: slow down and make sure they have plenty of room to pass. The driver is trained to pass/overtake at high speeds. It was safer for both that you gave them space.

7. try to find a way to let them pass without getting yourself in danger or damaging your car. if you need to be in front if them for a bit then thats just how it is, they will signal you how urgent it is and if they thing you should be out the way by now. Generally you want to make way to an ambulance with signals on, if they got sirens then its very urgent and you must let them pass the moment you get a chance. they will often go over the speedlimit if thats the case so staying in front of them is no solution

8. Be predictable.
   Don’t gerinn their way or do anything that slows them down.
   I

9. Indicator to the right,

   slow down and move as far over as you can,

   when your are slow enough, even drive on the shoulder and stop.

   The More Space the Notarzt/ambulance has, the less it has to slow down. Every Second may count.

   Your Picture is an Prime example where not to stop,

   an curve over a hilltop, so its not easy to get a view, in a case like this,

   proceed and move over at the next piece of road that has a clear view for the Notarzt to pass.

   When the Notarzt is through, pay attention to your rear mirrors, the Ambulance is mostly not far behind.

10. You actually don’t have to do anything if there is no siren. You have to give way only when there is a combination of siren and blue lights.

    I’am driving RTW and NEF myself so you can take it from me.

    ​

    Funfact: Emergency medical vehicles can always drive over red lights even when they have neither blue lights nor siren on. But the right of way rule only exists when both are on at the same time.