When approaching an emergency vehicle stopped on the roadside, which action is recommended?

• A. Maintain your speed and stay in your lane.
• B. Honk to clear the way.
• C. Move over a lane if possible and slow down.
• D. Accelerate to pass quickly.

Answer: (C)

When you see an emergency vehicle stopped on the roadside with lights flashing, the safest move is to change into an adjacent lane if it can be done safely and slow down. This creates a clear space for responders to work and reduces your risk of sideswiping the stopped vehicle, workers, or debris. If you can’t change lanes safely due to traffic, slow to a prudent speed and proceed with extra caution. This behavior matches the Move Over guidance many states require, including Tennessee, to protect those roadside and keep traffic flowing safely. The other options don’t provide the necessary clearance or protection: staying in your lane offers no extra room, honking won’t help the situation and can distract other drivers, and speeding past quickly increases the chance of a collision with workers or the vehicle.