South Carolina Driver's Permit Practice Exam

What should you do when an emergency vehicle with flashing lights approaches you from behind?

1. Speed up to get out of the way

2. Pull over to the right side of the road

3. Stay in your lane

4. Drive to the next exit

The correct answer is: Pull over to the right side of the road

When an emergency vehicle with flashing lights approaches from behind, the appropriate response is to pull over to the right side of the road. This action is crucial for several reasons. First, it allows the emergency vehicle to pass quickly and safely, ensuring that they can reach their destination, whether it's responding to an accident or an emergency situation. Pulling over to the right also helps to prevent potential accidents caused by panic or confusion from other drivers. It is important to remain aware of your surroundings and make sure that the path is clear before you switch lanes or move over. By doing this, you help facilitate a smoother response from emergency services while ensuring your safety and the safety of others on the road. In situations where it's not safe to pull over—like on a divided highway where the emergency vehicles may be approaching from a different direction—you should still slow down and be cautious, but moving to the right is the standard protocol in most urban and suburban environments.