A 3-minute lesson from the Louisiana course. Read the rules and examples, follow the handbook page references, and check your understanding before you move on.
When a police car, ambulance or fire truck uses its siren or lights, get out of its way immediately. On multilane highways you also move over, or slow down, for emergency vehicles stopped on the roadside.
Know the rule
Yield to emergency vehicles sounding a siren and flashing warning lights: pull over to the right edge of the road, clear of intersections, and stop until the vehicle has passed. This applies to traffic in both directions.
On an interstate or highway with two or more lanes in your direction, when passing a parked emergency vehicle, move to a lane not next to it if it's safe. If you can't change lanes, slow to a reasonably safe speed.
On a four-lane highway, a police car is stopped on the right shoulder with lights flashing. Move to the left lane if it's safe. If traffic blocks you, slow to a reasonably safe speed as you pass.
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.
How close may you follow an emergency vehicle that is responding to a call?
No closer than 100 feet
No closer than 50 feet
There is no minimum distance
No closer than 500 feet
Answer: No closer than 500 feet
Following an emergency vehicle closer than 500 feet while it's responding to a call is unlawful.