A 3-minute lesson from the Vermont course. Read the rules and examples, follow the handbook page references, and check your understanding before you move on.
Flashing lights mean someone needs space: an officer stopping you, an ambulance rushing by, or a crew working at the roadside. Vermont law spells out what to do in each case, and the steps protect both you and them.
Know the rule
Police signal a driver to stop by turning on flashing lights, or flashing lights and a siren.
If a vehicle with flashing blue or red lights and/or a siren approaches from any direction, pull over to the right side of the road and stop. Stay stopped until it has gone by.
If a police vehicle (flashing blue) or emergency vehicle (flashing red) is stopped, proceed with caution and slow down. On a four-lane highway such as an Interstate, you must also change lanes if you can do so safely.
You must yield the right-of-way to any state, city or town maintenance vehicle working on a highway. For example, approaching a snowplow with lights flashing, proceed with caution and yield.
State law sign: Move over or reduce speed for stopped emergency vehicles
Put it into practice
On I-89 at 65 mph, you see a trooper stopped on the right shoulder with blue lights flashing. Move to the left lane if it's safe. If traffic blocks you, slow to 45 mph (20 below the limit) 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.
A police vehicle signals you to stop with flashing lights. Where should you pull over?
Into the center median of a divided highway
Into the left lane and stop
As close to the right side of the road as you can safely get
Onto the opposite road shoulder
Answer: As close to the right side of the road as you can safely get
Drive as close as you safely can to the right side; never stop in an intersection or a median.
