Final answer:
If you encounter an emergency vehicle with flashing lights while driving, you should slow down and move to a non-adjacent lane if possible. This action ensures the safety of emergency workers. Do not approach the emergency vehicle on foot.
Step-by-step explanation:
When driving on a road with a speed limit of 25 mph or greater and you encounter an emergency vehicle on the side of the road displaying emergency flashing lights, the appropriate action is to slow down and, if safe to do so, move over to a non-adjacent lane away from the emergency vehicle. This action typically follows the "Move Over" laws that many regions have instituted, which aim to protect emergency personnel attending to roadside incidents. If the road does not have multiple lanes, or it is not safe to move over, drivers should reduce speed while passing the emergency scene, always remaining vigilant and ready to respond to any sudden changes.
Do not run toward or run alongside the ambulance, as these actions would be unsafe and unrelated to proper driving behavior in such situations. Instead, acknowledging and reacting to emergency responders safely is the proper course of action. Furthermore, using cues such as the Doppler shift in an ambulance siren to gauge its approach or recession can inform drivers of the necessity to yield right of way.