Emergency vehicles — Michigan Permit Test

When an emergency vehicle approaches with red and blue lights and siren, pull over to the edge of the road, clear of intersections, and stop.

Emergency crews need a clear lane to reach people quickly, and pulling over gives them one.

Pull over to the edge of the roadway or highway, clear of intersections and stop.

After pulling over for an emergency vehicle, stay there until it has passed, and stay alert because more than one may be responding.

A second fire truck or police car often follows the first.

Stay alert – more than one emergency vehicle may be responding to the call.

You must yield to emergency vehicles approaching from any direction with red and blue lights flashing, and to stopped emergency vehicles with red, blue or amber lights flashing.

Emergency vehicles need room whether they are moving toward a call or stopped at one.

and to stopped emergency vehicles with their red, blue or amber lights flashing, rotating or oscillating.

When you see a stopped emergency vehicle, the law requires you to slow down at least 10 mph below the posted speed limit and move over a lane if traffic and conditions allow.

People working at the roadside are only feet from passing traffic, and both speed and space protect them.

The law requires you to slow down at least 10 mph below the posted speed limit and move over a lane if traffic and conditions allow.

If you cannot move over a lane for a stopped emergency vehicle, slow down and proceed with caution, keeping as much space as possible between you and it.

Where changing lanes is not safe, distance and a slower speed still give the crew room.

If you can’t move over, slow down and proceed with caution, keeping as much space as possible between you and the stopped emergency vehicle.

Stay at least 500 feet behind any moving emergency vehicle displaying flashing warning lights and sounding a siren.

Emergency vehicles stop and turn suddenly, and following close puts you in the way.

Stay at least 500 feet behind any moving emergency vehicle displaying flashing warning lights and sounding a siren.

Never pass a moving emergency vehicle displaying flashing lights unless directed to by its driver or a police officer.

Passing puts you in front of a vehicle that is rushing to an emergency and may turn at any moment.

Never pass a moving emergency vehicle displaying flashing warning lights unless directed to do so by the emergency vehicle driver or a law enforcement officer.

When stopped for an emergency vehicle, keep a foot on the brake so the brake lights show emergency drivers you have stopped.

Lit brake lights tell the emergency driver at a glance that you will not pull out in front of them.

Keep a foot on the brake so the brake lights let emergency vehicle drivers know you have stopped.

Road service vehicles such as tow trucks, with a flashing red or amber light and clearly marked, count as authorized emergency vehicles.

Tow trucks work right next to traffic on the shoulder, so the law protects them like other emergency crews.

Road service vehicles, such as tow trucks or state-owned safety service patrol vehicles

Failing to obey the move-over law with an authorized emergency vehicle is a civil infraction, but a felony if you injure or kill emergency personnel.

The penalty matches the harm, and injuring a first responder is treated as a serious crime.

Involving authorized emergency vehicles: A civil infraction, unless you injure or kill emergency personnel, then the charge is a felony.

Failing to obey the law around other authorized vehicles, such as solid waste haulers, utility service vehicles and road maintenance vehicles, is a misdemeanor.

Trash collectors and utility crews also work beside traffic, and the law protects them too.

Involving other authorized vehicles, such as solid waste haulers, utility service vehicles and road maintenance vehicles: A misdemeanor.

An ambulance with lights and siren is coming up behind you. What should you do?

Pull to the edge of the road, clear of intersections, and stop. Emergency crews need a clear lane to reach people quickly, and pulling over gives them one. What Every Driver Must Know, p.28: “Pull over to the edge of the roadway or highway, clear of intersections and stop.”