Massachusetts Fines and Limits Permit Practice Test

Which action is illegal regarding emergency vehicles?

1. Moving to the right side of the road

2. Following closer than 300 feet

3. Stopping at a crosswalk

4. Yielding the right-of-way

The correct answer is: Following closer than 300 feet

The action of following closer than 300 feet behind an emergency vehicle is illegal because it poses a significant safety risk. This distance is established to ensure that there is adequate space for the emergency vehicle to maneuver, especially in situations where they may need to suddenly stop or change direction in response to an emergency. By maintaining this distance, drivers provide room for the emergency vehicle to operate effectively and can also react appropriately to any sudden changes on the road, thereby reducing the risk of collisions. In contrast, while moving to the right side of the road, stopping at a crosswalk, and yielding the right-of-way are generally expected behaviors when an emergency vehicle is approaching, failing to do so in specific situations could potentially lead to traffic violations. However, those actions do not present the same degree of immediate danger as following too closely behind an emergency vehicle. Therefore, the law emphasizes keeping a safe following distance to protect all road users during emergency situations.