Seconds count when emergency responders are on their way to save the lives of you and your neighbors.

So when drivers—perhaps you and your neighbors—don't quickly move to the right, it takes even longer for paramedics, police officers and firefighters to reach those in need, said Fire Capt. Chris Babler from the "C" Division at Station No. 33 in Rancho Bernardo.

On this Firefighter Friday, Babler urges drivers to quickly move over to the right when emergency vehicles are coming through, even if other drivers don't move.

"Do the right thing," Babler said.

He added that a caravan of emergency vehicles may be responding to a given accident so drivers shouldn't be so quick to move back over into their lanes after a single fire engine or police car passes. They may end up having to move right back over, he said.

Also, for emergencies on the freeway, drivers are required to move at least one lane over from the accident scene or else they may be ticketed, Babler said. The extra lane gives responders more protection from vehicles passing by.

Drivers also should slow down when passing emergency scenes and stay aware of what's happening so they don't crash into the fire engines and police cars, making things worse, Babler said.