1. Priority for Emergency Vehicles
Due to the importance and urgency of the duty of emergency vehicles, they have the right of way over other vehicles. When an emergency vehicle approaches, a vehicle must give way, regardless of whether it is approaching from ahead, behind, or either side. Pay due attention, since the emergency vehicle may travel out of its lane to its right. Turning down the volume of the car stereo or opening the window to check the direction is necessary in cases such as when a siren is heard but the direction cannot be discerned.
1.1 When an Emergency Vehicle Approaches at or near an Intersection
At or near an intersection, a vehicle must give way as follows:
- ① Move to the left side of the road and come to a stop outside the intersection.
- ② On a one-way road, if moving to the left would obstruct the emergency vehicle, move to the right side of the road and come to a stop outside the intersection.
1.2 When an Emergency Vehicle Approaches at a Place Not at or near an Intersection
At a place not at or near an intersection, a vehicle must give way as follows:
- ① Move to the left side of the road.
- ② On a one-way road, if moving to the left would obstruct the emergency vehicle, move to the right side of the road.
"Emergency vehicle"
Refers to fire trucks, ambulances, and other automobiles that have been designated by the Public Safety Commission pursuant to Cabinet Order and have sirens activated and red lights flashing, and are driving to do emergency-related tasks. (Emergency vehicles engaging in traffic control may, at times, not activate their sirens.)
Automobiles being guided by police emergency vehicles or vehicles of the Self-Defense Forces being guided by emergency vehicles of the Self-Defense Forces are also considered emergency vehicles.
Special exceptions for emergency vehicles (examples):
Stipulations of laws and regulations may not apply to emergency vehicles in cases such as the following, to proceed in a way that ensures safety, etc.
- ① Emergency vehicles may proceed crossed over into the right side of the road to overtake or for other unavoidable reasons.
- ② Emergency vehicles may proceed slowly while paying attention to other traffic, even if laws and regulations stipulate that it should not stop.
- ③ The regulation of maximum speed limit does not apply to emergency vehicles controlling speed violations.
2. Priority for Route Buses, etc.
2.1 Prohibition against Obstructing Route Buses, etc. Starting to Move
When a route bus, etc. that is stopped at a bus stop signals that it is about to start moving (to change course) using a turn signal, etc., vehicles behind must not obstruct the move.
However, when avoidance would require sudden braking or sudden steering, the vehicle may continue to proceed.
"Route bus, etc."
- ① Public buses (public automobiles for ride-sharing that transports passengers on a set route)
- ② School or kindergarten buses
- ③ Automobiles designated by the Public Safety Commission (shuttle buses for commuting, etc.)
2.2 Roads with an Exclusive Lane
On a road with an exclusive lane for route buses, etc. designated by traffic signs or pavement markings, vehicles not light special equipment, motorized bicycles, or non-motorized conveyances must not proceed in that vehicular lane.
Traffic signs or pavement markings may designate an exclusive lane for regular bicycles. In such cases, vehicles other than specified light motorized bicycles and non-motorized conveyances must not proceed in that vehicular lane.
However, they may proceed in the following cases:
- When moving to the right edge, center, or left edge of the road to turn right or left.
- When unavoidable due to roadwork, etc.
- When giving way to emergency vehicles.
2.3 Roads with a Priority Lane
On a road with a priority lane for route buses, etc. designated by traffic signs or pavement markings, automobiles not route buses, etc. may proceed in that vehicular lane, however, they must behave as follows unless moving to the right edge, center, or left edge of the road to turn right or left or it is unavoidable due to roadwork, etc.
- ① Such vehicles must leave the lane promptly when a route bus, etc. approaches.
- ② When traffic is congested and there is a risk of not being able to leave the lane if a route bus, etc. approaches, vehicles must not enter that lane.
- ③ Light special equipment, motorized bicycles, and non-motorized conveyances may continue to proceed in the priority lane.
How "light special equipment, etc." are to proceed in exclusive and priority lanes:
Light special equipment, motorized bicycles, and non-motorized conveyances must proceed in the leftmost lane, unless unavoidable due to turning right, roadwork, etc. Further, on a road with the leftmost lane designated as an exclusive lane for route buses or priority lane for route buses, etc., they may continue to proceed in that lane even when route buses, etc. approach or when traffic is congested.
However, if the leftmost lane is an exclusive lane for regular bicycles, light special equipment and general motorized bicycles may not proceed there, so they must proceed in the lane to the immediate right of it.
3. Summary: Exclusive vs Priority Lanes
| Lane Type | General Vehicles | Light Equipment / Motorized Bicycles |
|---|---|---|
| Exclusive Lane | Must NOT proceed (except for turning, roadwork, emergency vehicles) | May proceed |
| Priority Lane | May proceed, but must leave when route bus approaches | May continue to proceed even when route bus approaches |
Key Difference:
- Exclusive lane = Generally cannot enter
- Priority lane = Can enter, but must leave when bus approaches