If you see an emergency vehicle with flashing lights, what is the proper action?

When you encounter an emergency vehicle with flashing lights, the proper action is to pull over and stop. This response is crucial for ensuring the safety of emergency responders and allowing them to operate effectively in urgent situations. Stopping gives them the space they need to maneuver and attend to emergencies without added hazards from moving traffic.

Additionally, many states, including Alaska, have laws that require drivers to yield to emergency vehicles. Failing to comply with this can result in legal penalties, including fines or points on your driving record.

On the other hand, speeding up to clear the road could create dangerous conditions, and ignoring the vehicle or continuing as usual could hinder emergency responses, potentially leading to tragic outcomes. Therefore, the safest and legally mandated action is to safely pull over to the side of the road and stop until the emergency vehicle has passed.