How far must you stay behind an emergency vehicle with lights and sirens activated?

When you encounter an emergency vehicle with its lights and sirens activated, it is crucial to maintain a safe distance of at least 50 meters behind the vehicle. This distance is designed to ensure the safety of both you and the emergency personnel, as they may need to maneuver quickly and may not have control over other vehicles in the vicinity. Keeping a distance provides enough room for the emergency vehicle to operate efficiently and enables other drivers to yield the right-of-way properly.

Staying back this prescribed distance also helps you avoid potential hazards that could arise from the emergency situation. For instance, other vehicles may be pulling over or pedestrians might be crossing the street to allow the emergency vehicle to pass. This distance ensures that you have adequate time to react to any unexpected scenarios. Understanding and adhering to this rule helps promote safety for everyone on the road in emergency situations.