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What must you do when an emergency vehicle approaches with sirens and lights in Texas?

A blue car pulled onto the right shoulder of a highway while a police car with red and blue lights on passes in the lane beside it.

You hear a siren and see an ambulance with flashing lights coming up behind you on a Texas road. What should you do?

Answer choices

The answer

Yield the right of way, move immediately to a position parallel to and as close as possible to the right-hand edge or curb, clear of any intersection, and stay stopped until the emergency vehicle has passed.

The duty applies to authorized emergency vehicles using the required audible and visual signals, and to certain medical examiner, justice of the peace and police vehicles using lawful signals.

A police officer's direction can change what you are asked to do.

Exceptions

  • The duty does not apply when a police officer directs otherwise.
  • The section does not excuse the emergency driver from driving with due regard for everyone's safety.

Why this rule matters for safety

Predictable moves by other drivers let emergency crews reach people quickly, and keep them from having to weave through traffic.

Official sources

Rules checked against these sources on . Laws change. Confirm with the Texas agency before you rely on this for a legal matter.

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