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

When an emergency vehicle with flashing lights approaches, the correct action is to pull over to the right side of the road and stop until the vehicle has passed. This response is crucial for several reasons.

First, yielding to emergency vehicles allows them to navigate through traffic safely and quickly, which is essential when responding to emergencies where every second counts. Stopping on the right side minimizes disruption to the flow of traffic while ensuring that the emergency vehicle can pass without delay.

Additionally, in many jurisdictions, laws explicitly require drivers to pull over and stop for emergency vehicles. Failing to do so can lead to traffic violations, fines, and potentially hazardous situations for all road users.

The other options are not appropriate responses. Speeding up would create a dangerous situation, while staying in your lane could obstruct the emergency vehicle's path. Ignoring the vehicle entirely could risk both your safety and that of others on the road, as it might impede crucial emergency response efforts. Therefore, pulling over and stopping is the responsible and legally mandated action in such scenarios.