In case of traffic jam: form an emergency lane

What is an emergency lane?

An emergency lane is a lane formed by drivers in the middle of the carriageway on multi-lane highways and rural roads. In Germany, this has been mandatory since 1982 whenever traffic is at a standstill, as regulated by Section 11, Paragraph 2 of the German Road Traffic Act (StVO).

When must an emergency lane be formed?

The emergency lane must always be formed as soon as there is a traffic jam and the traffic comes to a standstill, not only when an emergency vehicle approaches.

How is an emergency lane formed?

All vehicles in the left lane move as far to the left as possible, all others move as far to the right as possible, including on the hard shoulder.

What are the advantages of the emergency lane?

Emergency personnel reach incident sites much faster on the motorway, as they no longer have to waste time navigating traffic jams. In traffic accidents, every second counts for those affected, and this time gain can sometimes mean the difference between life and death. The Hermsdorf Fire Department also often experiences during its motorway operations that access is extremely difficult in traffic jams, resulting in significant time losses. This time loss can be prevented by consistently forming an emergency lane.

Please remember: The emergency lane helps save lives. You, too, may find yourself in a situation on the road where you need immediate assistance.