Question

Difficulty: MediumFreeway, Highway, and Expressway Driving Rules

You are driving in the right-hand lane of a multi-lane freeway and approach a stationary emergency vehicle displaying flashing red and blue lights on the right shoulder. If traffic conditions permit, which action are you legally required to take under Move-Over laws?

  1. Safely change lanes into an available lane to the left to leave a clear lane between your vehicle and the emergency vehicle.Answer
  2. B
    Maintain your speed and current lane position while sounding your horn to alert roadside workers.
  3. C
    Maintain the posted maximum speed limit without changing lanes because highway speed limits take precedence over shoulder activity.
  4. D
    Come to a complete stop in your active travel lane until the emergency vehicle turns off its flashing lights.

Answer

The correct action is to safely change lanes into an available lane to the left, leaving an open buffer lane between your vehicle and the stationary emergency vehicle on the shoulder.
When approaching a stationary emergency vehicle displaying flashing lights on a multi-lane freeway shoulder, drivers are legally required under Move-Over laws to change lanes into an available non-adjacent lane to the left if traffic permits. If changing lanes is unsafe, the driver must significantly reduce speed.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Identify the hazard and regulatory requirement
Recognize the presence of a stationary emergency vehicle with flashing lights on the freeway shoulder.
Move-Over laws specifically mandate protective actions around emergency vehicles stopped along high-speed roadways.
2
Assess surrounding traffic
Check mirrors and blind spots to confirm if a lane change to the left can be executed safely.
Lane changes on multi-lane freeways must be performed without interfering with traffic in adjacent lanes.
3
Execute the lane change
Vacate the lane adjacent to the emergency vehicle, providing a safe buffer zone.
Leaving an open lane reduces the risk of striking roadside emergency responders or highway maintenance workers.

Key Concept

Move-Over Law Compliance on Multi-Lane Freeways
Rate this question