You are crossing an intersection and an emergency vehicle is approaching while using its siren and flashing lights. You should:
Answers
Stop immediately in the intersection until it passes.
Pull to the right of the intersection and stop.
Continue through the intersection, pull to the right, and stop.
The Correct Answer and Explanation is :
The correct answer is: Continue through the intersection, pull to the right, and stop.
Explanation:
When you encounter an emergency vehicle (such as an ambulance, fire truck, or police car) with its siren and flashing lights while you are crossing an intersection, the primary goal is to ensure that you do not block the emergency vehicle’s path and allow it to pass as quickly as possible. Here’s why:
- Intersections are critical: If you’re already in an intersection when you hear or see an emergency vehicle approaching, stopping in the intersection could impede both the emergency vehicle and other traffic. Stopping in the middle of the intersection can also create additional hazards, such as blocking turning lanes, disrupting the flow of traffic, or preventing the emergency vehicle from advancing.
- Continue through safely: If you’re already in the intersection when the emergency vehicle approaches, you should continue driving through it. This ensures that you do not block the intersection and can safely exit before stopping.
- Pull to the right and stop: After clearing the intersection, you should immediately pull over to the right side of the road and come to a complete stop. This action provides the emergency vehicle with a clear path to pass on the left or right, depending on the road layout. It’s essential to stay in place until the emergency vehicle has passed, as it may need to navigate through traffic quickly.
- Why not stop immediately in the intersection? Stopping while still in the intersection could worsen congestion and block other vehicles, especially those that may need to make turns. It could also obstruct the emergency vehicle’s path.
By continuing through the intersection and pulling to the right, you help ensure the smooth flow of traffic and give priority to the emergency vehicle, which is responding to an urgent situation.