Move over laws by state
What to do when you pass a stopped emergency, police, tow or service vehicle with flashing lights.
By state
| State | Move over rule |
|---|---|
| Alabama | For stopped emergency vehicles with flashing lights, or wreckers with flashing amber lights: on roads with 4+ lanes, vacate the nearest lane; if you can't, slow to at least 15 mph below the limit. On two-lane roads, move as far away as possible within your lane and slow to 15 mph below the limit (or to 10 mph if the limit is 20 mph or less). For approaching emergency vehicles with siren and flashing red or blue lights, pull to the side and stop, clearing any intersection first. Don't follow within 500 feet of emergency vehicles on a run.Source |
| Alaska | For stationary emergency vehicles or tow trucks with flashing lights on a four-lane road, move to the lane away from them if safe; otherwise (or on a two-lane road) slow to a reasonable and prudent speed (AS 28.35.185). Don't follow responding emergency vehicles within 500 feet or park within 500 feet of stopped fire apparatus. |
| Arizona | Move Over Law (A.R.S. 28-775): move over one lane for any vehicle with flashing lights pulled to the side of the road; if not safe, slow down and use caution. Applies to emergency, police, tow, highway maintenance and private vehicles. Stay at least 500 feet behind a fire vehicle and 300 feet behind a police vehicle responding to an emergency.Source |
| Arkansas | Pull to the right for approaching emergency vehicles (drive through an intersection first). On a multilane highway, move to the lane farthest from a stopped law enforcement, ARDOT, utility, construction or tow vehicle with lights on; if not safe or possible, slow down. Penalty stated as up to $1,000 (PDF p. 23) or up to $500 (PDF p. 27), jail, community service, up to 6-month suspension.Source |
| California | Move over and slow down for stationary emergency vehicles or tow trucks displaying flashing amber warning lights, stopped road work vehicles with emergency flashing or amber lights, and stationary emergency vehicles with flashing emergency lights. For emergency vehicles using siren and red lights, drive to the right edge of the road and stop until they pass; do not follow within 300 feet of an emergency vehicle with siren or flashing lights on. |
| Colorado | Stopped emergency vehicle: leave at least one lane between you; if you can't, slow to 25 mph where the limit is 45 mph or less, or 20 mph under the limit where it is above 45. Any stationary vehicle with hazards flashing: move over one lane if safe, otherwise slow to at least 20 mph below the posted limit. Yield to maintenance vehicles and snow plows with flashing yellow and blue lights; never pass plows working in tandem formation.Source |
| Connecticut | For any vehicle pulled over on a highway or road: slow down below the posted limit and move over one lane when it is safe. For approaching emergency vehicles with siren/lights: pull to the right edge and stop until they pass (drive through an intersection first). Statute (C.G.S. 14-283b) is narrower than the manual: on highways with 2+ lanes in one direction, for a stationary or very slow emergency vehicle, maintenance vehicle or wrecker with flashing lights, slow to a reasonable speed below the limit and move over one lane if in the adjacent lane, unless unsafe; on two-lane undivided roads, slow below the limit; for any other stationary vehicle on the shoulder or breakdown lane of a multi-lane highway, move over one lane if in the adjacent lane, unless unsafe.Source |
| Delaware | For a stationary emergency vehicle, DelDOT vehicle, tow truck, or any stationary vehicle showing hazards, flares, cones or warning signs: change lanes when possible (multi-lane); otherwise slow to a safe speed below the posted limit until past.Source |
| Washington DC | Manual: if a vehicle is stopped on the shoulder, slow down and move to the left part of your lane or the next lane if available. Emergency vehicles with siren/lights: drive to the curb and stop until they pass; don't follow fire apparatus within 500 feet.Source |
| Florida | For stopped law enforcement, emergency, tow, sanitation, utility and road maintenance vehicles with warning lights, and for disabled vehicles showing hazard lights or flares or with people visibly present: move out of the lane closest to them when safe; if you cannot, slow to 20 mph below the posted limit (to 5 mph if the limit is 20 mph or less).Source |
| Georgia | Move over to the next lane (leaving a buffer lane) for a stopped emergency, wrecker, highway construction, active sanitation or utility service vehicle showing flashing yellow, amber, white, red or blue lights; if you cannot, slow down below the speed limit and be prepared to stop. Fine up to $500 for a first offense. Postal and active sanitation vehicles: change lanes or slow to at least 10 mph under the limit or 25 mph, whichever is more, and be prepared to stop; fine up to $250 (manual PDF p.19, p.26).Source |
| Hawaii | When approaching a stopped emergency vehicle with lights flashing, slow down or stop as appropriate and, if possible and safe, move so an empty lane separates you from it (HRS 291C-27, p.29). For moving emergency vehicles with siren or flashing red/blue lights, clear a path and stop (p.29).Source |
| Idaho | Approaching a stopped emergency/police vehicle with lights flashing, tow truck or incident response vehicle: slow below the posted limit and proceed with caution; with 2+ lanes in your direction, move to a non-adjacent lane if safe. |
| Illinois | Approaching a stationary emergency or maintenance vehicle with flashing blue, red, amber, white or green lights, or an emergency scene: yield, change to a lane away from it when possible, otherwise slow to a safe speed and keep it low until past. Approaching emergency vehicles using lights and siren: pull to the right and stop if needed. Disabled vehicles with hazard lights on four-lane highways: change lanes away if safe, otherwise slow down.Source |
| Indiana | Change lanes away from a stopped emergency vehicle (red, red/white or red/blue lights; Class A infraction), an authorized parked vehicle with amber lights such as tow, maintenance, utility, trash or survey vehicles (Class B infraction), or a disabled vehicle with hazard flashers (Class B infraction); if you cannot move over, slow to 10 mph under the posted limit. |
| Iowa | Change lanes for any stopped emergency, tow, recovery, maintenance, construction, solid waste or recycling vehicle with flashing lights, and for any stopped vehicle with hazard lights; if not possible, slow down and be prepared to stop. Violation: suspension up to one year. Stay at least 500 feet behind an emergency vehicle using lights and siren. |
| Kansas | Approaching a stationary emergency vehicle with flashing lights (the handbook includes towing and recovery vehicles): on a road with two or more lanes in your direction, change to a lane not next to it if possible and safe; otherwise slow down to a safe speed and proceed with caution (K.S.A. 8-1530(b)). Same for highway construction vehicles and workers (K.S.A. 8-1531). Moving emergency vehicles with siren/lights: pull to the right edge clear of intersections and stop until they pass; stay 500 feet behind them. No passing within 100 feet of a stopped emergency vehicle with lights on.Source |
| Kentucky | Slow down and change into a lane not next to a stopped emergency vehicle when safe; on four-lane highways move into the left lane if safe; on two-lane highways approach slowly and pass with caution. Pull right and stop for approaching emergency vehicles with red/blue lights or siren; do not follow an emergency vehicle closer than 500 feet.Source |
| Louisiana | Yield to emergency vehicles using signals: pull to the right edge and stop. When passing a stopped emergency vehicle on a road with 2+ lanes in your direction, change to a lane not adjacent if safe; otherwise slow to a reasonably safe speed. Don't follow a responding emergency vehicle closer than 500 feet. The guide's incident-sign section says the move-over law means slowing down and changing lanes when approaching a roadside incident. |
| Maine | For an emergency vehicle stopped on the roadside: slow down and yield; move over a lane if possible, otherwise slow down and use caution. Do not follow within 500 feet of a fire truck responding to an alarm. |
| Maryland | Move over for any vehicle stopped, standing or parked on the road with flashing lights; if unable, slow to a safe speed. Misdemeanor: $110 fine and 1 point; $150 and 3 points if it causes a crash; $750 and 3 points if death or serious injury. Pull to the edge of the road and stop for approaching emergency vehicles; don't pass a moving emergency vehicle using signals unless it stops or an officer directs. |
| Massachusetts | Move-over law: slow to a reasonable and safe speed when approaching a stationary emergency, highway maintenance or recovery vehicle with flashing lights; on a highway with 4+ lanes (2+ your way) move to a lane not next to it. Yield to moving emergency vehicles by pulling right and stopping; do not follow closer than 300 feet behind an emergency vehicle answering an alarm; no driving or parking within 800 feet of a fire (pp.104, 120-121).Source |
| Michigan | For a stopped emergency vehicle (red, blue or amber lights): slow at least 10 mph below the posted limit and move over a lane if safe; otherwise slow and keep space. It is a civil infraction, or a felony if emergency personnel are injured or killed. For waste, utility and road maintenance vehicles with flashing lights: proceed with caution and be ready to yield (misdemeanor if not). Approaching emergency vehicles with lights and siren: pull to the right edge clear of intersections and stop; stay 500 feet behind moving emergency vehicles.Source |
| Minnesota | On a road with two lanes in your direction, move to the lane farthest from a stopped emergency vehicle, tow truck, service patrol, maintenance, utility, construction, postal, or solid waste/recycling vehicle with lights flashing, or a stalled/disabled vehicle; if you cannot, or with one lane, slow down and pass with caution (manual p.44). A surcharge of at least $25 is added for speeding past a stopped emergency vehicle (p.27). Statute 169.18 subd. 11 also requires leaving a full lane vacant on roads with more than two lanes.Source |
| Mississippi | If an emergency vehicle with lights or siren is parked along a four-lane highway, merge into the lane away from it if safe; otherwise slow down and prepare to stop. Pull to the extreme right shoulder for approaching emergency vehicles. |
| Missouri | For a stationary emergency vehicle with red or red-and-blue lights, or a vehicle with amber or amber-and-white lights: on a road with at least four lanes (two your way) change into a lane not adjacent to it if safe; otherwise slow down and proceed with caution. Violation is a Class A misdemeanor. For moving emergency vehicles, pull to the right and stop (drive through an intersection first).Source |
| Montana | Yield to emergency vehicles using audible and visual signals by pulling parallel to the right edge and stopping. On highways posted 50 mph or more, vehicles in the lane next to a stationary emergency or police vehicle with signals on must slow to at least 20 mph below the posted limit and, when possible, move to a lane farther away.Source |
| Nebraska | On multi-lane controlled-access highways: for stopped emergency, road assistance, utility, highway maintenance or solid waste vehicles with flashing lights, move at least one lane away; if you can't, slow to a safe speed. Up to $100 first offense; up to $500 and/or 7 days in jail after. For approaching emergency vehicles with siren or lights, pull to the right edge clear of intersections and stop (not required for opposite traffic on a median-divided road). Don't follow fire apparatus within 500 feet.Source |
| Nevada | When approaching stopped emergency, utility or service vehicles (law enforcement, tow trucks, NDOT, garbage trucks, vehicles with non-flashing blue lights, people repairing a vehicle): slow to a reasonable speed below the posted limit, proceed with caution, be prepared to stop, and if possible use a lane not adjacent to the stopped vehicle (NRS 484B.607). |
| New Hampshire | Sherrill's Law (RSA 265:37-a): at emergency scenes, police stops, and stopped vehicles showing hazard lights, flares, cones or signs, reduce speed and give a wide berth or vacate the adjacent/blocked lane when safe; fines for violations.Source |
| New Jersey | Change to a lane not adjacent to a stationary emergency vehicle, tow truck, highway maintenance or other service vehicle showing flashing red, blue, amber or yellow lights, or any stationary/disabled vehicle with hazard lights, flares or reflective triangles; if a lane change is impossible or unsafe, slow below the posted limit and be ready to stop. Fine $100-$500 (manual p.78).Source |
| New Mexico | Not covered in the manual. Emergency vehicles with siren or red/blue lights: pull to the right edge and yield; drive through an intersection first (manual p.12).Source |
| New York | Move Over Law: use care and reduce speed on all roads for authorized emergency or hazard vehicles stopped on the shoulder or any part of the highway with emergency, amber, or amber-and-blue lights on, and for vehicles with blue or green lights; on parkways, interstates and other multi-lane controlled-access roads also move out of the adjacent lane unless traffic or hazards make it unsafe. Also move over for any motor vehicle parked, stopped or standing on a parkway or controlled-access highway. Violation is a moving violation. For approaching emergency vehicles with lights/siren, pull to the right edge and stop (MV-21 p.35). |
| North Carolina | When an emergency vehicle with flashing lights and siren approaches from either direction, pull to the right curb or edge and stop until it passes. This does not apply to opposite-direction traffic on a four-lane limited-access highway with a median. For an emergency or public service vehicle (police, fire, ambulance, rescue, or a vehicle assisting with wrecked or disabled vehicles) parked or standing within 12 feet of the road with warning lights on: with two or more lanes in your direction, move to a lane not next to it and stay there until safely past; with one lane, slow to a reduced, safe speed until completely past. Do not park within 100 feet of an emergency vehicle at a crash, and do not drive or park closer than one block to fire trucks answering an alarm (handbook PDF pp. 50-51).Source |
| North Dakota | For emergency vehicles using red, white or blue lights or siren: stop immediately at the right curb or edge, not in an intersection, until they pass. Emergency or police vehicle parked at a crash with lights flashing: drive to the right side and stop, then pass at your own risk when clear. On the interstate or a multi-lane highway, for emergency, police or NDDOT maintenance vehicles with lights flashing: move to the opposite lane and proceed with due caution. For stranded vehicles with hazard lights on interstates or multi-lane highways outside cities: move to the non-adjacent lane, or slow down and use caution.Source |
| Ohio | When approaching a stopped police, emergency, road service (tow, snowplow), waste collection, highway maintenance or public utility vehicle with warning lights, change to a lane not adjacent to it if safe; otherwise slow down and proceed with caution.Source |
| Oklahoma | Move Over / Bernardo-Mills Law (47 O.S. 11-314): for any stationary vehicle with flashing lights on the roadside, move over a lane if safe, otherwise slow down and use caution; on two-lane roads slow down. For emergency vehicles with siren/lights, pull to the right edge clear of intersections and stop (pp.29-30).Source |
| Oregon | On a road with 2+ lanes in your direction, when approaching any motor vehicle stopped with lights flashing, change lanes so you are not next to it, or slow to at least 5 mph under the posted limit; give as much room as possible. For emergency vehicles using lights/siren, pull to the right and stop (not in an intersection), then stay at least 500 feet behind after it passes (pp.57-58).Source |
| Pennsylvania | Move into a lane not adjacent to an emergency response area or disabled vehicle (marked with at least two of: signal lamps, flares, caution signs, other devices); if unable, slow to at least 20 mph below the posted limit. Fines up to $500/$1,000/$2,000; 2 points; suspensions of 90 days to 1 year if someone is seriously hurt or killed. After an emergency vehicle passes, stay at least 500 feet behind it. |
| Rhode Island | On multi-lane roads, move over away from the designated stopped vehicle when safe; if you can't, slow down. Pull right and stop for approaching emergency vehicles. |
| South Carolina | Approaching a stopped authorized emergency vehicle: proceed with caution, slow down and change into a lane away from it if safe; if not, slow down and keep a safe speed. Statute (56-5-1538) also covers stopped vehicles with hazard lights; fine $300-$500.Source |
| South Dakota | Stopped emergency vehicle with red lights: all motorists from any direction must come to a complete stop before reaching it, then proceed with caution. Stopped vehicle with amber, yellow or blue lights: on roads with 2+ lanes in your direction, merge to the farthest lane at least 300 feet before it; on two-lane highways, slow at least 20 mph below the limit (to 5 mph where the limit is 20 or less) starting 300 feet before. Class 2 misdemeanor (SDCL 32-31-6.1) (manual p.2).Source |
| Tennessee | On roads with at least two lanes in your direction, move to a lane not adjacent to a stationary emergency, utility, sanitation, maintenance, tow/HELP vehicle (or any vehicle with flashers) on the shoulder or median, on either side; if unsafe, slow down and proceed with caution.Source |
| Texas | For a stopped emergency vehicle, police, fire truck, tow truck, utility service vehicle or TxDOT/highway maintenance vehicle with lights activated: vacate the lane closest to it on a road with two or more lanes in that direction, or slow to 20 mph below the posted limit (if the limit is 25 mph or more) or to 5 mph (if the limit is under 25 mph).Source |
| Utah | Emergency vehicle with siren/lights approaching: drive at once to the right side of the road and stop until it passes; do not follow within 500 feet of a fire vehicle answering an alarm. Approaching a stationary vehicle with flashing hazard lights not legally parked: slow down, give as much space as practical, and move to a non-adjacent lane if safe (leave the HOV lane for a stationary vehicle with amber lights). Conviction requires a 4-hour live defensive driving course within 90 days or a 90-day suspension.Source |
| Vermont | Pull to the right and stop for approaching vehicles with blue/red lights or siren. For stopped police/emergency vehicles: slow down and, on four-lane highways, change lanes if safe; on interstates if you can't change lanes, slow to 20 mph below the limit. Yield to working maintenance vehicles (snowplows); same caution for amber-lit tow/repair vehicles.Source |
| Virginia | Approaching a stationary emergency vehicle or tow truck with flashing lights: change to a lane not next to it if reasonable and safe, otherwise slow down and proceed with caution. Same lane change required for stationary vehicles with hazard flashers, caution signs or flares. Trash collection vehicles: on 4+ lane highways move to a non-adjacent lane; otherwise slow 10 mph below the limit and pass at least 2 feet to the left. Do not follow an emergency vehicle with flashing lights closer than 500 feet; do not park within 500 feet of fire equipment answering an alarm. Pull to the right and stop for approaching emergency vehicles (either direction on an undivided highway); not applicable in highway work zones. |
| Washington | Emergency zone: when a roadside response vehicle (tow, solid waste, incident response, maintenance, utility, police, fire, ambulance) has flashing lights, move over into a farther lane or slow to at least 10 mph below the posted limit; never faster than 50 mph in an emergency zone. Guide insert: move over 200 feet before and after the scene. |
| West Virginia | Not in the handbook. W. Va. Code §17C-14-9a: for a stationary vehicle showing emergency, amber/yellow or hazard lights, flares or warning signs, change to a non-adjacent lane on 4+-lane highways if safe and reduce speed; if not possible, slow to no more than 15 mph on non-divided roads or 25 mph on divided highways. Penalty: misdemeanor, up to $500 and/or 60 days jail; license suspended 90 days if property damage, 6 months if injury, 2 years if death. Yield to approaching emergency vehicles: pull to the right edge clear of the intersection and stop.Source |
| Wisconsin | For an emergency vehicle stopped with lights flashing, move into the lane not nearest the stopped vehicle and stay there until past it, or slow down if you cannot move over. Pull over and stop for approaching emergency vehicles using lights/siren (not in an intersection). Give snowplows with flashing lights at least 200 feet. |
| Wyoming | For an emergency, municipal, utility or highway construction/maintenance vehicle stopped or moving under 20 mph on or within 3 feet of the road with lights on: on highways with 2+ lanes your way, merge into the lane farthest from it (at least one lane apart); on two-lane roads posted 45 mph or more, slow to 20 mph below the limit (pp.71-72; also pp.40, 49). For emergency vehicles approaching with siren/lights: pull to the right edge and stop, not in an intersection.Source |
More rules of the road
From each state's driver handbook or licensing agency; laws change, so check your state's current handbook.