What is the safe distance to keep behind an emergency vehicle while following?

The safe distance to maintain behind an emergency vehicle while following is important for both safety and compliance with the law. Keeping a distance of 150 meters allows for sufficient space to react to any sudden movements or procedures the emergency vehicle might perform. Emergency vehicles, such as ambulances, police cars, or fire trucks, may stop abruptly, maneuver around obstacles, or have personnel exiting the vehicle quickly.

Having a greater distance, like 150 meters, also helps ensure that the emergency vehicle can operate effectively while creating a clear path for them on the road. This distance is recommended to avoid interfering with the emergency response, which is crucial in critical situations. It is important to respect this distance not only for your safety but also to allow emergency responders to do their job efficiently.

Shorter distances may not provide enough reaction time and can increase the risk of collisions, thereby endangering not only your safety but also that of the responders and others on the road. Therefore, maintaining a distance of 150 meters is a responsible practice when following emergency vehicles.