Behind a police car on an emergency run
Look at the picture, read the situation, and mark each of the three statements true (○) or false (✕). All three right scores 2 points.
A police car ahead of you is on an emergency run with its red lights flashing, and you are driving behind it. You are on an urban road with one lane in each direction. Answer true or false for each of the following.
- (1)The police car has priority, so you keep driving, following right behind it.
- (2)You keep a certain distance from the police car, and pull over to the left and stop or reduce your speed.
- (3)If you stick with the police car, you can go through red lights.
Show the answers and explanation
- (1) ✕ FalseThe police car has priority, so you keep driving, following right behind it.
- (2) ○ TrueYou keep a certain distance from the police car, and pull over to the left and stop or reduce your speed.
- (3) ✕ FalseIf you stick with the police car, you can go through red lights.
Explanation
You are required to give way to an emergency vehicle (Road Traffic Act, Art. 40). Following close behind one is dangerous, so do not do it. The rule is to keep a certain distance, pull over to the left and yield (Rules of the Road (kyōsoku), Ch. 5, Sec. 2, 5). The special exemptions for emergency vehicles (such as going through red lights) do not apply to ordinary vehicles.
Source: Rules of the Road (kyōsoku), Ch. 5, Sec. 2, 5 (yielding to emergency vehicles) / Road Traffic Act, Art. 40
