Move Over or Reduce Speed sign

What to do

When you approach a stopped emergency vehicle with flashing lights, move over a lane if you safely can; if not, slow down.

When you see flashing lights on the shoulder ahead, check your mirrors early and move over a lane if it is safe, or slow down well if you cannot.

Exact requirements come from each state's law; the sign wording may be adjusted to match.

Where it's used

Section 2B.71 allows the STATE LAW MOVE OVER OR REDUCE SPEED FOR VEHICLES STOPPED ON SHOULDER (R16-3) sign to tell drivers to change lanes and/or slow down when passing emergency vehicles stopped on the shoulder. It is a large horizontal black-on-white regulatory sign (60 x 48 inches on conventional roads, larger on freeways). Because these laws vary, a State may change the wording to match its own law.

Don't confuse it with

• Emergency Vehicle: The yellow Emergency Vehicle warning sign warns that emergency vehicles may enter the road, while this sign states the law for passing ones stopped on the shoulder.
• Keep Right Except to Pass: KEEP RIGHT EXCEPT TO PASS is about lane use in normal traffic, while this sign is about giving room to stopped emergency vehicles.