How far should you stay behind an emergency vehicle responding to an incident?

Maintaining a safe distance from an emergency vehicle responding to an incident is crucial for both the safety of the responders and other motorists. The correct distance to stay behind an emergency vehicle is 500 feet. This distance allows adequate space for the emergency vehicle to maneuver, ensures you are out of the way of potential hazards, and provides time for you to react if the situation changes suddenly, such as if the emergency vehicle needs to brake or turn quickly. It is important to respect this distance to prevent interference with emergency operations and to ensure that you are not putting yourself or others in danger.