What should you do if you encounter an emergency vehicle with flashing lights?

When you encounter an emergency vehicle with flashing lights, the correct action is to move to the side of the road and stop. This is crucial because emergency vehicles, such as ambulances, fire trucks, and police cars, need to navigate through traffic quickly to reach their destinations and respond to emergencies. By moving aside and stopping, you create a clear path for these vehicles to pass, ensuring that they can respond effectively and without delay.

It's important to remember that failing to yield to emergency vehicles can result in dangerous situations, not just for the emergency responders but also for other road users. In certain jurisdictions, there are laws that explicitly require drivers to pull over and stop when encountering such vehicles. This law exists to protect all parties involved and to facilitate a swift response to emergencies.

The other options, such as accelerating to get out of the way or ignoring the vehicle while on the highway, could potentially create confusion or hinder the emergency vehicle’s movement, increasing the risk of accidents. Continuing to drive at the same speed does not provide the necessary space for the emergency vehicle to operate effectively. Hence, moving to the side of the road and stopping is the safest and most responsible choice.