What should a driver do if they see an emergency vehicle with flashing lights approaching from behind?

When a driver sees an emergency vehicle with flashing lights approaching from behind, the correct action is to pull over to allow it to pass. This is crucial for several reasons. Emergency vehicles, such as ambulances, fire trucks, and police cars, need to navigate through traffic quickly to respond to emergencies. By pulling over to the side of the road, a driver creates a clear path for the emergency vehicle to proceed without delay, ensuring that they can reach the scene of an emergency as swiftly as possible.

Additionally, it is a traffic law in Mississippi and many other states to yield the right of way to emergency vehicles. Failing to do so can impede their response time and can lead to legal consequences for the driver. By pulling over safely, the driver also minimizes the risk of accidents that could occur if other vehicles are still in the way when the emergency vehicle passes.

In contrast, continuing to drive at the same speed or speeding up to get out of the way can create confusion and create dangerous situations on the road. Also, while turning on hazard lights might indicate an intention to make a maneuver, it does not provide the necessary action to clear the way for the emergency vehicle. Thus, pulling over is the safest and most responsible response.