What are the laws about emergency vehicles on the road?
In Texas, special laws apply to emergency vehicles when they are driving on the roads. Generally, these laws are meant to ensure that emergency vehicles have priority over other drivers on the road and that they can get to where they need to go quickly and safely. When an emergency vehicle is responding to an emergency, the driver is allowed to break the normal traffic rules, such as driving above the speed limit, crossing a solid yellow line, and driving through a stop sign or red light if necessary. All other drivers on the road must yield and pull over to the right side of the road to let the emergency vehicle pass. Drivers should also turn off their headlights and refrain from honking their horns to not distract the emergency vehicle driver. The laws also require that other drivers must slow down and take extra caution when passing a parked emergency vehicle that is flashing its lights. If the emergency vehicle has a sign that reads “Slow Down - Move Over”, drivers must reduce their speed to 20 mph below the posted speed limit or as close to it as safely possible when passing the emergency vehicle. Finally, drivers must never attempt to race or chase an emergency vehicle. Doing so can lead to serious consequences, including heavy fines or even jail time. By following these laws, drivers will help ensure that emergency vehicles can reach their destination safely and quickly.
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