What should you do when an emergency vehicle is stopped on the side of the road with lights flashing?

When an emergency vehicle is stopped on the side of the road with lights flashing, the safest and most advisable action is to change lanes if traffic conditions permit, or to move to a safer lane position and decelerate. This practice is designed to provide a buffer zone between your vehicle and the emergency personnel working on the roadside, ensuring their safety and allowing them enough space to perform their duties effectively.

Changing lanes when possible minimizes the risk of collisions and allows for a clear path for any emergency response operations. If changing lanes is not feasible due to traffic conditions, adjusting your position in the lane to provide more space and slowing down is also crucial. This approach demonstrates courtesy and adherence to traffic laws aimed at protecting emergency responders, which may be legally required in many jurisdictions.

Maintaining speed while passing an emergency vehicle can endanger both the response teams and drivers, as it doesn't account for any unexpected movements or requirements from the emergency personnel. Coming to a complete stop is unnecessary and can cause congestion and hazards, obstructing other traffic. Similarly, slowing down to pass without changing lanes does not provide adequate safety space and could still pose risks. Therefore, the most appropriate response involves changing lanes or adjusting your position to ensure the safety of everyone involved.