When approaching a stopped emergency vehicle with flashing lights on highways with speed limits of 80 km/h or over, what must you do?

• A. Speed up to pass quickly
• B. Change lanes and slow down to 40 km/h
• C. Maintain your speed
• D. Stop immediately in your lane

Answer: (B)

When approaching a stopped emergency vehicle with flashing lights on highways where the speed limit is 80 km/h or higher, you must change lanes and reduce your speed to 40 km/h if it's safe to do so. This action is crucial for ensuring the safety of first responders, who may be working in close proximity to the roadway. By changing lanes, you create a buffer zone between your vehicle and the emergency personnel, reducing the risk of accidents.

Slowing down to 40 km/h is a legal requirement in many jurisdictions and serves to minimize the danger of collisions that could occur if drivers maintain their speed or attempt to pass the emergency vehicle too quickly. This approach not only protects emergency responders but also helps maintain the flow of traffic in a safe manner.

The other options don’t align with these safety principles. Speeding up, maintaining speed, or stopping immediately in your lane would either increase the risk of an accident or create dangerous conditions for both the emergency workers and other drivers on the road.