New York DMV Permit Written TestRules of the Road and Traffic LawsHard
You are driving on a multi-lane highway, and the traffic ahead has come to a complete stop due to an accident. An emergency vehicle with lights and sirens activated is approaching from behind in the leftmost lane. What is your legal obligation if you are currently in the middle lane?
- AYou should activate your hazard lights and stay put, as moving might create more confusion.
- BRemain in your current lane and wait for the emergency vehicle to find a path, as traffic is already stopped.
- CIf possible, slowly move towards the right shoulder without impeding the emergency vehicle's path.
- DYou must move to the rightmost lane if it is clear, even if it means entering the shoulder temporarily, to create a clear path for the emergency vehicle.
Show answer & explanationAnswer & explanation
Correct answer: D. You must move to the rightmost lane if it is clear, even if it means entering the shoulder temporarily, to create a clear path for the emergency vehicle.
When an emergency vehicle approaches, drivers must move to the right edge of the roadway and stop. In heavy or stopped traffic on a multi-lane highway, this often means creating a clear path by moving as far right as safely possible, potentially onto the shoulder, to allow the emergency vehicle unimpeded access.
Why the other options are wrong
- A. Activating hazard lights is good, but staying put is not; you must actively create a path for the emergency vehicle.
- B. Remaining in your lane, even if stopped, impedes the emergency vehicle's ability to navigate through traffic.
- C. While moving right is correct, 'without impeding' is less precise than actively creating a clear path, which might require more assertive movement to the far right, including the shoulder if safe.
Emergency Vehicle in Stopped Traffic
In heavy or stopped traffic, drivers must actively create a clear path for emergency vehicles by moving as far to the right as safely possible, including onto the shoulder if necessary.
- Required to move to the right edge of the roadway.
- Applies even if traffic is stopped.
- May involve using the shoulder temporarily.
- Goal is to provide an unimpeded path.
Memory trick: Stopped or slow, to the right you must go!