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Kansas driving lesson · Sharing the Road

Emergency vehicles, move-over and police stops

A 3-minute lesson from the Kansas course. Read the rules and examples, follow the handbook page references, and check your understanding before you move on.

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Read time
3 minutes
Course unit
Sharing the Road
Checkpoint questions
6
Source pages
84, 85

Emergency vehicles need a clear path, stopped responders need room, and a traffic stop goes safest when the officer can see you're calm and cooperative. Kansas spells out what to do in each case.

Know the rule

Under emergency conditions, emergency vehicles may be exempt from rules: parking where you can't, going through a red light or stop sign after slowing, exceeding the speed limit, and ignoring direction or turning rules.

Handbook p. 84 ↗

Know the rule

Emergency vehicles include fire equipment, police vehicles, ambulances and specialty vehicles such as blood delivery, river rescue and hazmat response.

Handbook p. 84 ↗

When you hear a siren or see flashing lights approaching:

  • Move right and pull over to the curb or road edge and stop, parallel and close to the curb
  • Always keep intersections clear
  • After it passes, check behind you and return to the road when safe
  • Stay at least 500 feet away from the emergency vehicle
  • Obey directions from law enforcement or emergency personnel at the scene
Handbook p. 85 ↗

Know the rule

If an emergency vehicle is leaving or returning to its garage with lights flashing, stop until it is safely out of your path.

Handbook p. 85 ↗

Move-Over Law

Approaching a stationary emergency vehicle with flashing lights, including tow and recovery vehicles, move out of the closest lane if safe and possible, or slow to a safe speed.

Handbook p. 85 ↗

If you're pulled over by law enforcement:

  • Move to the right side, as far out of traffic as is safe for you and the officer
  • Turn off the engine, radio and other devices; turn on hazard flashers
  • At night, turn on interior lights; roll down your window
  • Stay calm, keep your belt on (passengers too), and keep hands on the wheel
  • Tell the officer where your license, insurance and registration are; reach slowly, one hand on the wheel
  • Answer questions fully and clearly; stay in the vehicle unless asked to get out
  • Never run from law enforcement
Handbook p. 85 ↗

Know the rule

Fleeing is very dangerous: many fatal crashes happen in police chases, and the consequences are more severe than the original citation.

Handbook p. 85 ↗
500 feet

Minimum distance to stay behind an emergency vehicle

Handbook p. 85 ↗

Put it into practice

On I-70 you approach a tow truck with flashing lights stopped on the right shoulder. Move to the left lane if it's safe and possible; if not, slow down to a speed safe for the road, weather and traffic.

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 you hear a siren or see flashing lights approaching, you should:
  1. Stop immediately wherever you are, even in an intersection
  2. Continue at the same speed in your lane
  3. Move right, pull over near the curb, and stop
  4. Move left to let it pass on the right

Answer: Move right, pull over near the curb, and stop

You should move right and stop near the curb or edge of the road, but always keep intersections clear.

Handbook p. 85 ↗
After an emergency vehicle passes you and you've pulled over, how far away must you stay before returning to the road?
  1. At least 50 feet
  2. At least 1,000 feet
  3. There's no minimum distance
  4. At least 500 feet

Answer: At least 500 feet

The handbook states you must stay at least 500 feet away from the emergency vehicle before safely returning to the roadway.

Handbook p. 85 ↗
Kansas's Move-Over Law applies to drivers approaching a stationary emergency vehicle. What must you do if you cannot safely change lanes?
  1. Stop completely in your lane
  2. Slow to a speed that's safe for the conditions
  3. Speed up to pass it quickly
  4. Maintain your current speed

Answer: Slow to a speed that's safe for the conditions

If you can't safely move over, the Move-Over Law requires slowing to a safe speed for the conditions instead.

Handbook p. 85 ↗
If you're pulled over by law enforcement, what should you do with your hands?
  1. Keep them on the steering wheel and limit movement
  2. Reach immediately for your documents without being asked
  3. Keep them in your lap
  4. Hold your license out the window

Answer: Keep them on the steering wheel and limit movement

Keeping your hands visible on the wheel helps the officer see you aren't hiding or reaching for anything.

Handbook p. 85 ↗
If an emergency vehicle is returning to its garage with lights still flashing, you must:
  1. Only yield if a siren is also sounding
  2. Follow it to get through traffic
  3. Stop until the emergency vehicle is safely out of your path
  4. Proceed as normal, since it isn't responding to a call

Answer: Stop until the emergency vehicle is safely out of your path

Flashing lights alone require you to stop, even if the vehicle is just returning to or leaving its garage rather than responding to an active call.

Handbook p. 85 ↗
According to the handbook, after being stopped by police, where should you generally remain?
  1. Walking toward the officer's car
  2. In the vehicle, unless asked to get out
  3. Standing beside your vehicle
  4. In the vehicle with the engine running

Answer: In the vehicle, unless asked to get out

You should remain in the vehicle with your safety belt fastened unless the officer asks you to exit.

Handbook p. 85 ↗
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