Special Vehicle Traffic Features

Drivers of emergency vehicles who hold permits to use blue and red beacons and special audio signals may use switched-on blue and red (or only blue) beacons and special audio signals only when this is necessary to save human life, health or property, ensure public order and traffic safety, apprehend persons suspected of having committed an offense, or escort and (or) accompany official delegations and protected persons in emergency vehicles. Drivers of emergency vehicles, when driving on a road with switched-on blue and red (or only blue) beacons (which must be visible at a 360° angle) and special audio signals, may disregard the requirements of Chapters V, X, XIII, XIV, XV, XVI, XVII, XVIII, XIX, XXI, XXI-1, XXII of the Rules and of Annexes 1–3, and use priority only if doing so will not endanger traffic safety and only when they have made sure that way is being given to them. Drivers of vehicles accompanied by emergency vehicles also enjoy this right.

In order to warn road users about a danger to traffic safety, the blue and red (or only blue) beacons of stopped emergency vehicles may be switched on without special audio signals. When passing a stopped emergency vehicle with a switched-on blue and red, or only blue, beacon, the driver must drive at such a speed that, if necessary, they could immediately stop without endangering other road users.

The orange beacon of a vehicle must be switched on when traffic is being obstructed (due to the vehicle's dimensions, with or without cargo, exceeding what is permitted; when working on the road; when stopped and parked; when moving slowly; when accompanying an organized group of cyclists; when transporting dangerous goods). A switched-on orange beacon does not confer priority; it only draws attention and warns other road users about a possible danger. Drivers of vehicles with switched-on orange beacons, when driving on the road, when stopped and (or) when performing work, must ensure that this does not endanger traffic safety.

When performing road infrastructure or environment management or maintenance work on a contractual basis and under conditions specified by the road owner, a vehicle with a switched-on orange beacon that is necessary to perform work functions at that location may travel on grass, sidewalks, pedestrian and (or) bicycle paths, bicycle lanes, the central reservation, the slopes of embankments or excavations, or in ditches, and may stop or park at the said places.