How should a driver respond to an emergency vehicle approaching with lights flashing?

When an emergency vehicle approaches with lights flashing, the appropriate response is to pull over to the side of the road and stop. This action is critical for several reasons. First and foremost, it ensures that the emergency vehicle can pass safely and quickly, allowing it to respond to an emergency situation without unnecessary delays. By stopping, you create a clear path for the emergency vehicle, which can be crucial in situations where every second counts.

Additionally, pulling over and stopping helps to maintain safety on the road for both the responding emergency personnel and other drivers. This maneuver minimizes the risk of accidents that could occur if vehicles continue to move while an emergency vehicle is attempting to navigate through traffic.

The other choices, such as maintaining speed, turning off headlights, or accelerating away from the scene, could create dangerous situations on the road, such as collisions or interfering with the emergency response. Thus, pulling over and stopping is the most responsible and safe action to take.