What must you do when you see an emergency vehicle with flashing lights?

When you see an emergency vehicle with flashing lights, the appropriate action is to pull to the curb and stop. This is crucial for several reasons. First and foremost, stopping allows the emergency vehicle to pass through traffic safely and quickly. Emergency responders often need to reach a location promptly, and any delay can hinder their ability to assist those in need.

Stopping also ensures that you are not contributing to any potential accidents. By pulling over, you increase visibility and reduce the risk of collisions between your vehicle and the emergency vehicle, which might be responding to a significant situation. Additionally, it is a legal requirement in many states, including Pennsylvania, to yield to emergency vehicles with flashing lights; failing to do so could result in penalties.

Maintaining speed, changing lanes without stopping, or speeding up to get past the emergency vehicle would create hazards on the road and is generally unsafe. These actions do not provide the necessary right of way that emergency responders require and could lead to more serious incidents.