A 3-minute lesson from the Massachusetts course. Read the rules and examples, follow the handbook page references, and check your understanding before you move on.
Emergency vehicles need a clear path, and crews stopped at the roadside need space. Animals on the road can panic at your vehicle. Massachusetts law is specific about each situation.
Know the rule
Always yield to fire engines, ambulances, police cars and other emergency vehicles using a siren and/or flashing lights. When one comes from any direction, pull as close as possible to the right side and stop until it has passed. Slowly rolling is not acceptable.
Approaching a stopped emergency, highway maintenance or recovery vehicle with flashing lights, slow to a safe speed. On highways with 4+ lanes (2+ your way), move over to leave an open lane.
If moving over isn't possible, you must still proceed with caution and reduce your speed. Be ready to stop when passing an emergency vehicle, and dim your high beams at night.
If you need help, pull in front of a police cruiser, never behind it. Don't approach an officer who is dealing with a stopped motorist; stand next to your vehicle on the shoulder until the officer is finished.
Always give the right-of-way to an animal someone is leading, riding or driving. Slow down, stop if it's coming toward you or crossing your path, give plenty of room if it's going your way, and don't honk or make loud noise.
If the animal looks scared, pull to the side and stop. You must stop if a rider or driver signals you to. This applies to horses, cows and other draft animals; take extra care passing hay rides.
On a four-lane highway, a state trooper is stopped on the right shoulder with lights flashing. Slow down and, if it's safe, move one lane left so there's an open lane between you and the cruiser.
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 is it legal to follow an emergency vehicle responding to an alarm?
No closer than 100 feet
No closer than 300 feet
No closer than 500 feet
No closer than 50 feet
Answer: No closer than 300 feet
It is illegal to follow closer than 300 feet behind an emergency vehicle responding to an alarm.