Arizona Driving Permit Written Practice Test

What should you do if you come across an emergency vehicle with flashing lights on the side of the road?

1. Continue at normal speed

2. Change lanes and pass safely

3. Stop and wait for instructions

4. Speed past it

The correct answer is: Change lanes and pass safely

When you encounter an emergency vehicle with flashing lights on the side of the road, the safest and most responsible action is to change lanes and pass safely. This approach helps to create a buffer between your vehicle and the emergency responders while they perform their duties. Moving to another lane reduces the risk of accidents, ensuring the safety of both the responders and other drivers on the road. It's important to remain vigilant and check your surroundings while changing lanes, as the emergency responders may be attending to an incident that poses additional hazards. Additionally, keeping a safe distance allows you to avoid potential distractions and ensures that you do not impede the emergency services' work. In certain jurisdictions, there are laws mandating that drivers must move over or slow down to give safe passage for emergency vehicles, which underscores the importance of this practice in promoting road safety.