Emergency vehicles, Sherrill's Law and traffic stops

Key points

1. When an emergency vehicle sounds a siren or flashes lights, drive immediately to the right side of the road and stop until it passes.

   Source: Handbook p. 40

   “Drivers should drive immediately to the right side of the road and stop the vehicle until the emergency has passed.”
   New Hampshire Driver's Manual, Handbook p. 40

2. Avoid blocking an intersection when you stop for an emergency vehicle.

   Source: Handbook p. 40

   “Drivers should avoid blocking an intersection when stopping.”
   New Hampshire Driver's Manual, Handbook p. 40

3. Do not follow a fire truck closer than 500 feet when its siren or lights are on.

   Source: Handbook p. 40

   “Drivers must not follow a fire truck closer than 500 feet when it is sounding a siren or operating flashing lights.”
   New Hampshire Driver's Manual, Handbook p. 40

4. Do not drive or park within the block where a fire truck has stopped for an alarm.

   Source: Handbook p. 40

   “Drivers must not drive or park a vehicle within the block where the fire truck has stopped to answer a fire alarm.”
   New Hampshire Driver's Manual, Handbook p. 40

5. Under Sherrill's Law, slow down and give a wide berth to emergency scenes and stopped vehicles with warning lights.

   Source: Handbook p. 40

   “Maintain a reduced speed and if practical give a wide berth, without endangering oncoming traffic, to public safety personnel”
   New Hampshire Driver's Manual, Handbook p. 40

6. Leave any lane that is wholly or partly blocked as soon as possible.

   Source: Handbook p. 40

   “Vacate any lane wholly or partially blocked, as soon as possible.”
   New Hampshire Driver's Manual, Handbook p. 40

7. In a traffic stop, turn off the engine, turn on the hazard flashers and, at night, the interior lights.

   Source: Handbook p. 40

   “Turn off the engine and turn on the hazard flashers and if at night, the interior lights to help the officer see that everything is in order inside the vehicle.”
   New Hampshire Driver's Manual, Handbook p. 40

8. Keep your seat belt fastened and your hands on the steering wheel.

   Source: Handbook p. 40

   “Remain calm and keep the safety belt fastened. Ask any passenger(s) to do so as well. Place hands on the steering wheel and limit movements.”
   New Hampshire Driver's Manual, Handbook p. 40

Numbers to know

3 questions from the New Hampshire practice test

1. 1. An emergency vehicle approaches in New Hampshire with its siren on. What must a driver do, and what should the driver avoid?

   1. Drive immediately to the right side of the road and stop, avoiding blocking an intersection
   2. Speed up to stay ahead of it
   3. Stop exactly where you are, even in an intersection
   4. Move to the left lane and slow down
   Show answer

   Drive immediately to the right side of the road and stop, avoiding blocking an intersection. Right of way must be given to emergency vehicles approaching from any direction when they are sounding a siren or operating flashing lights. Drivers should drive immediately to the right side of the road and stop until the emergency has passed, and they should avoid blocking an intersection when stopping. Once it has passed, signal and turn back into the roadway only when it is safe. Stopping in an intersection or moving left blocks the path the responders need.

2. 2. Under New Hampshire's Sherrill's Law, what must a driver do when approaching a stopped vehicle displaying warning lights, flares, or cones?

   1. Maintain a reduced speed and, if practical, give a wide berth or move to a non-adjacent lane, and vacate any blocked lane
   2. Stop behind the vehicle until it moves
   3. Continue at the posted speed in the same lane
   4. Pass on the shoulder
   Show answer

   Maintain a reduced speed and, if practical, give a wide berth or move to a non-adjacent lane, and vacate any blocked lane. Sherrill's Law, RSA 265:37-a, covers fires, collisions, utility work, traffic stops, and any stopped or standing vehicle displaying warning signals such as hazard lights, flares, cones or caution signs. Every driver other than an emergency responder must maintain a reduced speed and, if practical, give a wide berth to public safety personnel, people in the roadway and vehicles showing blue, red or amber lights, obey anyone directing traffic, and vacate any lane wholly or partially blocked as soon as possible. Violations bring a fine plus penalty assessment.

3. 3. A police vehicle with lights on pulls in behind you in New Hampshire at night. Besides stopping and staying in the vehicle, what does the manual tell you to turn on?

   1. The high beams
   2. The hazard flashers and the interior lights
   3. The radio
   4. The windshield wipers
   Show answer

   The hazard flashers and the interior lights. During a traffic stop, come to a complete stop and place the vehicle in park, remain in the vehicle unless asked to get out, turn off the engine, and turn on the hazard flashers and, at night, the interior lights so the officer can see that everything is in order inside. Keep the safety belt fastened, put your hands on the steering wheel, limit movements, and when asked for documents say where they are and reach slowly with one hand still on the wheel. If the car is unmarked, make sure its blue lights are activated.

Source: the New Hampshire Driver's Manual, Section 11: Sharing the Road. This lesson is a plain English summary, not the law itself; where it differs, the manual and the statute govern. Last checked 2026-09-27.