When running lights and sirens, what assumption should a driver avoid?

When driving an emergency vehicle with lights and sirens, it is crucial to recognize that not all other drivers will yield appropriately. This assumption can lead to dangerous situations. Drivers may become startled, confused, or fail to notice the emergency vehicle despite the warning signals. Therefore, emergency vehicle operators must always be prepared for unpredictable behavior from other motorists and remain vigilant while navigating through traffic.

This awareness is essential for ensuring the safety of everyone on the road, including the emergency vehicle crew, patients being transported, and other road users. By actively avoiding the assumption that other drivers will yield, emergency drivers can focus on making safe decisions, controlling their speed, and maneuvering in a way that minimizes the risk of accidents.

Other options express misjudgments that could lead to dangerous driving practices, such as thinking exceeding the speed limit is always necessary or assuming other drivers will see and hear the emergency vehicle without fail. These misconceptions can lead to reckless behavior and may compromise the safety of both the emergency responders and the general public.