California DMV Permit Test (Class C)Safe Driving PracticesEasy
You are driving on a multi-lane road and notice an emergency vehicle (e.g., ambulance, fire truck, police car) approaching rapidly from behind with its lights and siren activated. What is the correct action to take?
- APull over to the left shoulder of the road to give them more room.
- BImmediately pull over to the right edge of the road, clear of any intersections, and stop.
- CIncrease your speed to clear the way quickly for the emergency vehicle.
- DMaintain your speed and stay in your lane, as they will navigate around you.
Show answer & explanationAnswer & explanation
Correct answer: B. Immediately pull over to the right edge of the road, clear of any intersections, and stop.
California law requires drivers to pull over to the right edge of the road and stop when an emergency vehicle approaches with activated lights and siren. This clears the path for the emergency vehicle to pass safely.
Why the other options are wrong
- A. Pulling to the left can obstruct oncoming traffic or create an unexpected hazard.
- C. Increasing speed is dangerous and could interfere with the emergency vehicle's path.
- D. This is illegal and dangerous, obstructing the emergency vehicle.
Emergency Vehicle Right-of-Way
Drivers must yield the right-of-way to emergency vehicles with activated lights and sirens by pulling to the right edge of the road and stopping.
- Applies to ambulances, fire trucks, police vehicles, and other authorized emergency vehicles.
- Pull over as far to the right as safely possible.
- Do not stop in an intersection; proceed through and then pull over.
Memory trick: Siren means 'move to the right and freeze,' like a statue on the shoulder.