How far should you stay behind emergency vehicles responding to calls?

When you're driving near emergency vehicles that are responding to calls, it is essential to maintain a safe distance for safety reasons. Staying at least 200 feet behind an emergency vehicle allows sufficient space for personnel to operate effectively and minimizes the risk of accidents. This distance gives you time to react to any sudden movements or emergencies while ensuring you are not impeding the progress of emergency responders.

The 200-foot guideline is designed to protect both you and the emergency personnel and provides a buffer zone so that emergency responders can perform their duties without the added risk of collisions. Keeping this distance is especially critical in situations where the emergency vehicle may need to maneuver quickly or where other vehicles might be stopping as well, ensuring a safer environment for all involved.