Utah Code
Utah Code § 41-6a-904 (2026)
Approaching emergency vehicle -- Necessary signals -- Stationary emergency vehicle -- Duties of respective operators
✓ current as of May 2026
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Except when otherwise directed by a peace officer, the operator of a vehicle, upon the immediate approach of an authorized emergency vehicle using audible or visual signals under Section 41-6a-212 or 41-6a-1625, shall:
yield the right-of-way and immediately move to a position parallel to, and as close as possible to, the right-hand edge or curb of the highway, clear of any intersection; and
then stop and remain stopped until the authorized emergency vehicle has passed.
The operator of a vehicle, upon approaching a stationary authorized emergency vehicle that is displaying alternately flashing red, red and white, or red and blue lights, shall:
reduce the speed of the vehicle;
provide as much space as practical to the stationary authorized emergency vehicle; and
if traveling in a lane adjacent to the stationary authorized emergency vehicle and if practical, with due regard to safety and traffic conditions, make a lane change into a lane not adjacent to the authorized emergency vehicle.
If the operator of a vehicle is traveling in an HOV lane, upon approaching a stationary authorized emergency vehicle that is displaying alternately flashing red, red and white, or red and blue lights, the requirements in Subsection (2)(a) apply.
The operator of a vehicle traveling in an HOV lane, upon approaching a stationary authorized emergency vehicle that is displaying alternately flashing red, red and white, or red and blue lights, shall, if practical, with due regard to safety and traffic conditions, make a lane change out of the HOV lane into a lane not adjacent to the authorized emergency vehicle.
The operator of a vehicle, upon approaching a stationary tow truck or highway maintenance vehicle that is displaying flashing amber lights, shall:
reduce the speed of the vehicle;
provide as much space as practical to the stationary tow truck or highway maintenance vehicle; and
if traveling in a lane adjacent to the stationary tow truck or highway maintenance vehicle, if practical and with due regard to safety and traffic conditions, make a lane change into a lane not adjacent to the tow truck or highway maintenance vehicle.
If the operator of a vehicle is traveling in an HOV lane, upon approaching a stationary tow truck or highway maintenance vehicle that is displaying flashing amber lights, the requirements in Subsection (3)(a) apply.
The operator of a vehicle traveling in an HOV lane, upon approaching a stationary tow truck or highway maintenance vehicle that is displaying flashing amber lights, shall, if practical, with due regard to safety and traffic conditions, make a lane change out of the HOV lane into a lane not adjacent to the tow truck or highway maintenance vehicle.
The operator of a vehicle, upon approaching a stationary vehicle adjacent to a highway that is not parked in an apparent legal parking area that has flashing hazard lights illuminated, shall:
reduce the speed of the vehicle;
provide as much space as practical to the stationary vehicle; and
if traveling in a lane adjacent to the stationary vehicle, if practical and with due regard to safety and traffic conditions, make a lane change into a lane not adjacent to the stationary vehicle.
If the operator of a vehicle is traveling in an HOV lane, upon approaching a stationary vehicle as described in Subsection (4)(a), the requirements in Subsection (4)(a) apply.
The operator of a vehicle traveling in an HOV lane, upon approaching a stationary vehicle as described in Subsection (4)(a), shall, if practical, with due regard to safety and traffic conditions, make a lane change out of the HOV lane into a lane not adjacent to the stationary vehicle.
When an authorized emergency vehicle is using audible or visual signals under Section 41-6a-212 or 41-6a-1625, the operator of a vehicle may not:
follow closer than 500 feet behind the authorized emergency vehicle;
pass the authorized emergency vehicle, if the authorized emergency vehicle is moving; or
stop the vehicle within 500 feet of a fire apparatus which has stopped in answer to a fire alarm.
This section does not relieve the operator of an authorized emergency vehicle, tow truck, or highway maintenance vehicle from the duty to drive with regard for the safety of all persons using the highway.
In addition to the penalties prescribed under Subsection (9), a person who violates this section shall attend a four hour live classroom defensive driving course approved by:
the Driver License Division; or
a court in this state.
Upon completion of the four hour live classroom course under Subsection (7)(a)(i), the person shall provide to the Driver License Division a certificate of attendance of the classroom course.
The Driver License Division shall suspend a person's driver license for a period of 90 days if the person:
fails to meet the requirements of Subsection (7)(a)(i), within 90 days of sentencing for or pleading guilty to a violation of this section.
Notwithstanding the provisions of Subsection (7)(b), the Driver License Division shall shorten the 90-day suspension period imposed under Subsection (7)(b) effective immediately upon receiving a certificate of attendance of the four hour live classroom course required under Subsection (7)(a)(i), if the certificate of attendance is received before the completion of the suspension period.
A person whose license is suspended under Subsection (7)(b) and a person whose suspension is shortened as described under Subsection (7)(c) shall pay the license reinstatement fees under Subsection 53-3-105(26).
In accordance with Title 63G, Chapter 3, Utah Administrative Rulemaking Act, the Driver License Division shall make rules to implement the provisions of this part.
Notes of Decisions
Cited in 5
cases (1 in the last 5 years), 2012–2024 · leading case: Torrie v. Weber Cnty., 2013 UT 48 (Utah 2013).
Torrie v. Weber Cnty., 2013 UT 48 (Utah 2013). “The defendants argue that Utah Code section 41-6a-210, which requires vehicles to stop when an officer signals them to do so and does not include a corollary to 41-6a-212's duty for emergency vehicle operators, is more applicable than section 41-6a-212.”
Park City v. Woodham, 2024 UT 3 (Utah 2024). “Park City charged him with one count of failing to yield to an emergency vehicle in violation of Utah Code section 41-6a-904. That statute provides that when approaching a stationary emergency vehicle with its emergency lights flashing, a driver must: (1) “reduce the speed of…”
State v. Juma, 2012 UT App 27 (Utah Ct. App. 2012). “§ 41-6a-904(8), the driver's conduct that the officer witnessed nonetheless established reasonable, articulable suspicion that the driver failed to "reduce the speed of the [car] and provide as much space as practical" when "approaching a stationary .”
Keller v. Martinez, 318 P.3d 1147 (Utah Ct. App. 2014). “§§ 41-6a-904,-905 (LexisNexis 2010 & Supp.”
Torrie v. Weber Cnty., 2013 UT 48 (Utah 2013). “15 The Torries also rely on Utah Code sections 41-6a-904, mandating that vehicles yield to approaching emergency vehicles, and 41-6a-1004, requiring pedestrians to also yield to emergency vehicles.”
Utah Code § 41-6a-904(2): 1 case
Park City v. Woodham, 2024 UT 3 (Utah 2024). “Park City charged him with one count of failing to yield to an emergency vehicle in violation of Utah Code section 41-6a-904. That statute provides that when approaching a stationary emergency vehicle with its emergency lights flashing, a driver must: (1) “reduce the speed of…”
Utah Code § 41-6a-904(2)(a): 1 case
Park City v. Woodham, 2024 UT 3 (Utah 2024). “Park City charged him with one count of failing to yield to an emergency vehicle in violation of Utah Code section 41-6a-904. That statute provides that when approaching a stationary emergency vehicle with its emergency lights flashing, a driver must: (1) “reduce the speed of…”
Utah Code § 41-6a-904(8): 1 case
State v. Juma, 2012 UT App 27 (Utah Ct. App. 2012). “§ 41-6a-904(8), the driver's conduct that the officer witnessed nonetheless established reasonable, articulable suspicion that the driver failed to "reduce the speed of the [car] and provide as much space as practical" when "approaching a stationary .”
Utah Code § 41-6a-904(G): 1 case
State v. Juma, 2012 UT App 27 (Utah Ct. App. 2012). “§ 41-6a-904(8), the driver's conduct that the officer witnessed nonetheless established reasonable, articulable suspicion that the driver failed to "reduce the speed of the [car] and provide as much space as practical" when "approaching a stationary .”
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