When you see an emergency vehicle approaching while using its flashing lights, you must:
- Maintain your speed and stay in your lane until the vehicle has passed.
- Move into the right lane and drive slowly until the vehicle has passed.
- Pull over to the curb or edge of the road and stop until the vehicle has passed. ✓
Answer: C. Pull over to the curb or edge of the road and stop until the vehicle has passed.
Pull over to the curb or edge of the road and stop until the emergency vehicle has passed.
Why this is the answer
The California handbook says to give the right-of-way to an emergency vehicle that is using a siren and red lights. It tells you to drive to the right edge of the road and stop until the emergency vehicle has passed. If you are already in an intersection, you continue through it first, then move right as soon as it is safe and stop. That is why pulling over and stopping matches the rule.
Why the other answers are wrong
- A. Maintain your speed and stay in your lane until the vehicle has passed. — Keeping your speed and staying in your lane does not follow the handbook's instruction to move to the right edge and stop for the approaching emergency vehicle.
- B. Move into the right lane and drive slowly until the vehicle has passed. — Moving into the right lane and driving slowly is not enough, because the handbook says to stop until the emergency vehicle has passed.
Remember it
Red lights and siren mean move right and stop, not just slow down.