That's interesting - I didn't know much about how the US medical system worked, so thanks for posting that. When a police, fire or EMS vehicles has lights and sirens on, everyone gets out of the way, and cars that don't have anywhere to go are authorized to run a red light, drive the wrong way or do whatever is necessary to clear the way and then immediately pull over. Is this not the case in the UK? Good question. I don't remember anything specific from my driving lessons, beyond the basics of "get out of their way", which would normally mean "pull over to the side of the road as soon as you can". I've had a look at the Highway Code, and the section on Emergency Vehicles has two relevant comments: 29: Emergency vehicles. If an ambulance, fire engine, police or other emergency vehicle approaches using flashing blue lights, headlights and/or sirens, keep off the road. 194: Emergency vehicles. You should look and listen for ambulances, fire engines, police or other emergency vehicles using flashing blue, red or green lights, headlights or sirens. When one approaches do not panic. Consider the route of the emergency vehicle and take appropriate action to let it pass. If necessary, pull to the side of the road and stop, but do not endanger other road users. So, there's nothing specific about actually breaking the normal rules. I also came across a tabloid newspaper report about someone who supposedly got into trouble (fine/points on licence) for going through a red light to let a police car through, but I don't know the specifics of that case, so it wouldn't surprise me if the details were misreported. I'm doing a driving theory course with St John Ambulance in a month or so, and hopefully that will tell me a bit more about the rules in this situation. But as it stands I'd say that even if there are rules set up then most people don't know what they are.