How should you react to an emergency vehicle with flashing lights?

When an emergency vehicle is approaching with its flashing lights activated, the appropriate reaction is to pull over to the side of the road. This action helps ensure that the emergency vehicle can pass through traffic swiftly and without obstruction. Emergency responders often need to reach their destination quickly to assist in critical situations, and clearing the roadway is essential for their effectiveness.

By pulling over to the side, drivers create a safe lane for the emergency vehicle to navigate through traffic, reducing the risk of accidents and allowing emergency personnel to respond as quickly as possible. It's also important to remain stopped until the emergency vehicle has fully passed and it’s safe to merge back into traffic.

Other behaviors, such as reducing speed while continuing to drive, following closely behind the emergency vehicle, or speeding up, do not provide the same level of safety and responsiveness. These actions can create additional hazards for both the driver and emergency personnel, potentially leading to accidents or delays in response times.