Alabama troopers issued a reminder to drivers this week to safely yield the right of way to law enforcement and other emergency vehicles after seeing an increase in the number of motorists ignoring the law.

This situation is affecting their duties and it can potentially pose a danger, troopers say.

“Recently, our Agency has noticed an increase in motorists failing to yield when encountering first responders operating vehicles in emergency situations,” ALEA Secretary Hal Taylor said in a press release. “These experiences only reiterate the seriousness for all motorists to stay alert and maintain a high level of situational awareness, allowing first responders and citizens, as well as visitors, to travel the state’s roadways safely.

According to Alabama law, “Upon the immediate approach of an authorized emergency vehicle equipped with at least one lighted lamp and audible signal as is required by law, 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 [emphasis added] edge or curb of the roadway clear of any intersection and shall stop and remain in such position until the authorized emergency vehicle has passed, except when otherwise directed by a police officer.”

ALEA’s Director of Department Public Safety (DPS) Colonel Jimmy Helms said in a press release that troopers have worked “diligently” cut down on crashes and fatalities through a number of programs. “As our Troopers have implemented these campaigns and initiatives, they have also noticed motorists pulling over to the left and stopping in grass medians and center-only turn lanes, which create issues and makes it unsafe for our Troopers, as well as the motorists.”

For more information on safely yielding to emergency vehicles and other safety tips visit www.alea.gov