Final answer:
You should pull over to the extreme right side of the road when you see or hear an emergency vehicle. Stopping in place, running towards, or alongside the vehicle can cause additional hazards. The Doppler shift in the siren's pitch helps determine the ambulance's direction.
Step-by-step explanation:
When you hear or see an emergency vehicle, you should pull over to the extreme right side of the road. This action is crucial to ensure that emergency vehicles, such as ambulances, fire trucks, and police cars, can quickly navigate through traffic and reach their destination to provide assistance. It is not advisable to stop moving and become stationary in the middle of the road, run toward the ambulance, or run alongside it, as these actions can create more hazards and potentially interfere with the emergency response.
Understanding the Doppler shift phenomenon is useful in recognizing an ambulance's approach. As an ambulance approaches you, the pitch of its siren increases due to the Doppler effect, and when it moves away, the pitch decreases. This shift in pitch can help you determine when to pull over and allow the emergency vehicle to pass safely.