Yes it is indeed against the law to follow within 300 feet of any emergency vehicle that answering an emergency call in the state of California. This distance can change from state to state.
You must yield the right-of-way to a police car, fire engine, ambulance or any other emergency vehicle using a siren or red light. You are best to pull towards the right as soon as possible. Do not stop in the middle of the intersection or suddenly without warning.
You must also take precautionary actions on a highway when passing a stopped emergency vehicle or tow truck when the emergency lights are activated. Drivers are directed to proceed with caution and to make a lane change into an available lane not immediately adjacent to the emergency vehicle or tow truck if practicable and not prohibited by law.
If the driver cannot make a safe lane change, they are to slow to a reasonable and prudent speed that is safe for existing condition. In other words just use common sense; these guys may be saving someone's life and so every second is crucial to them.
In all other cases the following distance between you and another vehicle should be a minimum of three to four seconds.
You must yield the right-of-way to a police car, fire engine, ambulance or any other emergency vehicle using a siren or red light. You are best to pull towards the right as soon as possible. Do not stop in the middle of the intersection or suddenly without warning.
You must also take precautionary actions on a highway when passing a stopped emergency vehicle or tow truck when the emergency lights are activated. Drivers are directed to proceed with caution and to make a lane change into an available lane not immediately adjacent to the emergency vehicle or tow truck if practicable and not prohibited by law.
If the driver cannot make a safe lane change, they are to slow to a reasonable and prudent speed that is safe for existing condition. In other words just use common sense; these guys may be saving someone's life and so every second is crucial to them.
In all other cases the following distance between you and another vehicle should be a minimum of three to four seconds.
