District of Columbia driving lesson · Right-of-Way & Intersections
Emergency vehicles, officers & dead signals
A 3-minute lesson from the District of Columbia course. Read the rules and examples, follow the handbook page references, and check your understanding before you move on.
Some people and vehicles override the normal rules: emergency vehicles with sirens or lights, police officers, crossing guards and flaggers. When a signal stops working, you fall back on stop-sign rules.
Know the rule
Authorized emergency vehicles, such as police cars, ambulances and fire engines, have the right-of-way when giving an audible (siren) or visual (flashing light) signal.
If you approach a block with stopped fire engines or emergency vehicles, don't drive into the block; turn right or left. Driving into the block is against traffic regulations.
School-crossing guards and traffic control officers have authority to stop, control and guide traffic. They are most often stationed near schools and event venues. Follow their directions.
If traffic lights are out of service or malfunctioning, stop as you would for a stop sign, then proceed by the right-of-way rules unless a traffic officer directs you.
You hear a siren behind you on a two-lane street. Pull to the curb right away and stop. Stay there until the fire truck passes. Don't follow it closer than 500 feet, and don't drive into a block where fire engines are stopped.
Check your understanding
Read the question, decide on an answer, then open it to check the explanation. These are Roadwise study questions based on the source handbook.
When a fire apparatus is responding to an emergency, how closely may you follow it?
No closer than 100 feet
No closer than 200 feet
No closer than 500 feet
No closer than 1,000 feet
Answer: No closer than 500 feet
Do not follow any fire apparatus closer than 500 feet when it is responding to an emergency.