Del. Code Ann. tit. 21, § 4134
Operation of vehicles on approach of authorized emergency vehicles; stationary vehicles
21 Del. C. 1953, § 4134; 54 Del. Laws, c. 160, § 1; 59 Del. Laws, c. 351, § 1; 70 Del. Laws, c. 186, § 1; 75 Del. Laws, c. 366, § 1; 76 Del. Laws, c. 345, § 1; 77 Del. Laws, c. 27, § 1; 77 Del. Laws, c. 465, § 1; 80 Del. Laws, c. 104, § 1; 83 Del. Laws, c. 288, § 1; 84 Del. Laws, c. 72, § 1; 84 Del. Laws, c. 404, § 1;
- (a) On the immediate approach of an authorized emergency vehicle making use of audible or visual signals, or of a police vehicle properly and lawfully making use of an audible signal only, the driver of every other vehicle shall yield the right-of-way and shall immediately drive to a position parallel to, and as close as possible to, the right-hand edge or curb of the roadway, clear of any intersections, and shall relinquish the right-of-way until the authorized emergency vehicle has passed, except when otherwise directed by a police officer.
(b) (1) For purposes of this subsection, “stationary vehicle giving a warning signal” means any of the following:
- a. A stationary authorized emergency vehicle, when the authorized emergency vehicle is giving a signal by displaying alternately flashing red, blue, blue and white, red and white, red and blue, or red, white and blue lights.
- b. A stationary authorized vehicle of the Department of Transportation, which is giving a signal by displaying alternately flashing amber or red and amber lights.
- c. A stationary tow truck, which is giving a signal by displaying alternately flashing amber, white, or amber and white lights.
- d. A stationary vehicle owned or operated by a public utility, which is giving a signal by displaying alternately flashing amber, white, or amber and white lights.
- e. A stationary vehicle displaying warning signals, including vehicle hazard warning lights, road flares, traffic cones, caution signs, or any nonvehicular warning signs.
(2) A person driving a vehicle who is approaching a stationary vehicle giving a warning signal shall do 1 of the following:
- a. Proceed with caution and yield the right-of-way by making a lane change into a lane not adjacent to that of a stationary vehicle described in this subsection, if possible with due regard to safety and traffic conditions, if on a roadway having at least 4 lanes with not less than 2 lanes proceeding in the same direction as the approaching vehicle.
- b. Proceed with caution and reduce the speed of the vehicle to a safe speed at least 20 miles per hour less than the posted speed limit, if the speed limit is 50 miles per hour or above, while passing a stationary vehicle described in this subsection, if changing lanes would be impossible or unsafe.
- (c) This section does not relieve the driver of an authorized emergency vehicle from the duty to drive with due regard for the safety of all persons using the highway.
- (d) Any person violating subsection (b) of this section who hits, strikes, or in any way contacts an emergency responder, causing physical injury, with that person’s vehicle is guilty of a class F felony.
(e) A person who violates this section is subject to the following fine:
- (1) For a first offense, a fine of up to $250, or community service equivalent in value to the fine, to be calculated utilizing the Delaware minimum wage.
- (2) For a second offense, a fine of up to $500, or community service equivalent in value to the fine, to be calculated utilizing the Delaware minimum wage.
- (3) For any subsequent offenses, up to $1,000, or community service equivalent in value to the fine, to be calculated utilizing the Delaware minimum wage.
21 Del. C. 1953, § 4134; 54 Del. Laws, c. 160, § 1; 59 Del. Laws, c. 351, § 1; 70 Del. Laws, c. 186, § 1; 75 Del. Laws, c. 366, § 1; 76 Del. Laws, c. 345, § 1; 77 Del. Laws, c. 27, § 1; 77 Del. Laws, c. 465, § 1; 80 Del. Laws, c. 104, § 1; 83 Del. Laws, c. 288, § 1; 84 Del. Laws, c. 72, § 1; 84 Del. Laws, c. 404, § 1