When you see a fire engine with lights and siren behind you, you should:

• A. Continue driving at the same speed
• B. Turn left to create path
• C. Pull over to the right and stop your car
• D. Stop in the middle of the lane

Answer: (C)

When an emergency vehicle with lights and siren is behind you, the priority is to yield the right of way and give them a clear path. The best move is to pull over to the right edge of the road and stop. This creates space for the firefighter crew to work and reduces the risk of a collision as they pass. After stopping, remain in place until the emergency vehicle has passed and it’s safe to merge back into traffic.

In Tennessee and most places, you should not try to outrun the vehicle or stay in the middle of a lane. Continuously driving at the same speed would block the path and delay responders. Turning left to “make a lane” can be dangerous and still impedes the emergency vehicle. Stopping in the middle of the lane blocks traffic and prevents the emergency vehicle from getting through quickly. If you’re on a multi-lane road, move to the rightmost lane if safe and stop, or use the shoulder only if it’s safe to do so.