You approach an emergency vehicle that is stopped with its lights flashing. You must:
- Slow down. If possible, change lanes so you will not drive next to the stopped emergency vehicle. ✓
- Drive to the right side of the road and stop.
- Stay in your lane and continue to drive at the same speed.
- Accelerate to quickly pass the stopped vehicle.
Answer: A. Slow down. If possible, change lanes so you will not drive next to the stopped emergency vehicle.
Slow down and, if you can do it safely, change lanes so you are not driving beside the stopped emergency vehicle.
Why this is the answer
The Florida handbook says that on a multi-lane road you must move out of the lane closest to a stationary emergency vehicle and signal your lane change. If you cannot move over safely, you must slow down to 20 MPH below the posted speed limit. On a two-lane road, you must slow down to 20 MPH below the limit, or travel at 5 MPH when the limit is 20 MPH or less. That matches slowing down and changing lanes when possible.
Why the other answers are wrong
- B. Drive to the right side of the road and stop. — The handbook does not tell you to pull to the right side and stop for a stationary emergency vehicle; it tells you to move over or slow down.
- C. Stay in your lane and continue to drive at the same speed. — Staying in your lane at the same speed ignores the requirement to vacate the closest lane or slow down.
- D. Accelerate to quickly pass the stopped vehicle. — Speeding up to pass would keep you beside the stopped vehicle instead of moving over or slowing down as required.
Remember it
When emergency lights are flashing at the roadside, move over or slow down.
Official handbook: Florida Driver License Handbook (FLHSMV), 7. Driving Safety – Parking, p. 65