Emergency personnel risk their lives every day to help people in a time of need. Drivers need to pay attention and respond properly when emergency vehicles approach.
- Describe what you currently do when this happens to you.
What is the proper protocol when you are driving and an emergency vehicle is approaching?
ANSWERS
- FIRST, never drive with earphones on or music playing too loudly. You need to be able to hear emergency vehicles approach and also hear audio cues from other vehicles.
- If you see emergency lights or hear a siren, analyze if it’s safer to pull over or stay where you are.
- If the emergency vehicle is behind or ahead—and the way is clear—pull over as far as you can to the right side of the road and come to a stop. Use your turn signal to indicate where you’re moving, and keep a foot on the brake to let emergency vehicle drivers know you have stopped.
- If you are in an intersection when the emergency vehicle approaches, wait to see if the emergency vehicle needs to turn at the intersection. If the vehicle is not turning, continue through intersection and then pull over as soon as you can when it is safe to do so. Use your turn signal to indicate where you’re moving, and keep a foot on the brake to let emergency vehicle drivers know you have stopped.
- On a highway where cars are going 55-70 miles an hour, get as far over as possible and slow down to the minimum speed.