What action must a driver take when encountering an emergency vehicle on the highway?

When a driver encounters an emergency vehicle on the highway, the appropriate action is to pull over to the right and stop. This is crucial for the safety of emergency personnel who may be exiting their vehicle to assist those in need. By moving to the right and coming to a complete stop, drivers ensure that emergency vehicles can maneuver safely and efficiently to the scene of an incident or provide assistance.

This action allows emergency responders to operate without obstruction, which is critical during emergencies where time is of the essence. Moreover, in many states, including Illinois, this response is legally mandated to enhance the safety of both the emergency workers and other road users.

While reducing speed and passing carefully is sometimes an advisable action, it does not prioritize the safety of the emergency situation in the same way that coming to a stop does. Continuing to drive normally can obstruct emergency vehicles and is not compliant with the laws regarding such encounters. Additionally, signaling the vehicle to go ahead is not a standard practice and can lead to confusion on the roadway. Therefore, pulling over to the right and stopping is both the safest and legally required response.