Question

Difficulty: EasyEmergency Vehicles and Move-Over Laws

You are driving on a standard two-lane road when you hear sirens and see flashing red lights approaching in your rearview mirror. In what correct sequential order should you perform the following steps to safely yield the right-of-way?

  1. 1Check your mirrors and scan traffic to locate the approaching emergency vehicle.
  2. 2Turn on your right-turn signal to indicate your intention to move off the travel lane.
  3. 3Safely steer to the right edge or shoulder of the roadway and come to a complete stop.
  4. 4Remain stopped in place until the emergency vehicle has safely passed.

Answer

The correct sequence begins by checking your mirrors to locate the vehicle, signaling your turn, steering safely to the right shoulder to stop, and remaining stopped until the emergency vehicle passes.
When an emergency vehicle approaches with active lights and sirens, the law requires drivers to first identify the vehicle's location, signal their intent, safely pull over to the right edge of the roadway, and remain stopped until the vehicle has completely passed.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Locate the source of the sirens/lights using your mirrors.
Establishes spatial awareness of the approaching hazard.
You must know where the vehicle is before making sudden vehicle maneuvers.
2
Activate the right turn signal.
Informs surrounding drivers and the emergency personnel of your movement.
Proper signaling prevents collisions with vehicles behind or alongside you.
3
Pull over to the right curb or shoulder and come to a full stop.
Vacates the main travel lane.
Move-over traffic safety laws require drivers to yield the right-of-way by pulling as close to the right curb as possible.
4
Wait until the emergency vehicle clears the area before re-entering traffic.
Maintains a safe pathway for the emergency vehicle.
Additional emergency response vehicles may be following behind the first one.

Key Concept

Yielding Right-of-Way Procedure for Approaching Emergency Vehicles
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