What should you do if an emergency vehicle is approaching with lights and sirens?

When an emergency vehicle is approaching with lights and sirens, the appropriate action is to pull over and stop until the vehicle passes. This response is critical for several reasons.

Firstly, emergency vehicles often respond to life-threatening situations where time is of the essence, and clearing the path allows them to navigate through traffic more efficiently. By stopping and yielding to the emergency vehicle, you contribute to public safety by preventing potential collisions and ensuring they reach their destination as quickly as possible.

Additionally, most traffic laws mandate that drivers must yield to emergency vehicles in such situations, which highlights the expectation that all drivers share the road responsibly and support the efforts of first responders.

In contrast, speeding up to get out of the way can create a dangerous scenario by increasing the likelihood of accidents or preventing the emergency vehicle from maneuvering safely through traffic. Continuing to drive as normal disregards the presence of the emergency vehicle and puts everyone at risk. Turning on your wipers, while it can be beneficial in bad weather, does not address the immediate need to yield to an emergency vehicle and is not a relevant response in such a scenario.