What should you do when approaching a stopped emergency vehicle with lights flashing?

When approaching a stopped emergency vehicle with its lights flashing, it's crucial to prioritize safety both for yourself and for the emergency personnel. The correct course of action is to move to another lane or slow down. This helps to create a safe environment for the emergency responders who are working and allows you the opportunity to navigate past the vehicle without causing any interference or accidents.

By moving over to a different lane, when safe to do so, or reducing your speed, you demonstrate caution and respect for the work being conducted by emergency personnel. This practice is not only considerate but is also often required by law in many states, including Maine. It reflects an understanding of the need to protect those who may be dealing with emergencies on the road.

In contrast, speeding up to pass quickly, ignoring the presence of the emergency vehicle, or stopping immediately beside it can create dangerous situations. Speeding can increase the risk of an accident, ignoring the vehicle shows a lack of regard for safety, and stopping next to the vehicle may obstruct the responders' work or put you at risk of being hit by other vehicles. Therefore, approaching with caution and consideration is imperative when you encounter an emergency vehicle.