Washington State Department of Licensing Knowledge Test

What is the correct response if you encounter an emergency vehicle with flashing lights?

1. Speed up to get past it quickly

2. Pull over and stop

3. Maintain your speed

4. Ignore and proceed as normal

The correct answer is: Pull over and stop

When encountering an emergency vehicle with flashing lights, the appropriate response is to pull over and stop. This action ensures that the emergency vehicle can pass safely and efficiently, allowing first responders to reach their destination without delay. It's crucial to create a clear path for the emergency vehicle to maneuver, particularly in situations where seconds can make a significant difference in saving lives or responding to emergencies. By pulling over, you are also complying with traffic laws designed to protect emergency personnel and the public. Many states, including Washington, have laws that require drivers to yield the right-of-way to emergency vehicles by moving to the side of the road when it is safe to do so. Maintaining speed or attempting to speed past the emergency vehicle poses a risk to both yourself and the responders, and ignoring the situation can lead to dangerous scenarios on the road. Thus, pulling over and stopping is the safest and most responsible choice when faced with an emergency vehicle displaying its lights.