Are you supposed to pull over to the shoulder if a tow truck is behind you with the lights on?

Question

i read somewhere in a newspaper that they maybe heading TO an accident and it was a cutious thing to do if on a 2 lane road. i was just wondering if it were a manadtory thing.

Answer 1

You're only required to move over if it's an emergency vehicle behind you -police, fire, ambulance.
A tow truck is usually a privately owned vehicle and has to obey the same rules of the road as you do.
If you are driving slower than the flow of traffic, I suppose it would be courteous to move over as long it's a safe situation - but I'm not sure that's even legal.

Answer 2

As to pulling over, no. The rules vary between states as to the use of lights. Some states say you can only use your lights at the side of the road picking up a car ((or transporting a wreck that would be a danger to others because you are wide, or slow, or something of that sort.) Some states have a law that you MUST use your lights when towing any vehicle. As to the answer that the tow trucks use their lights because the car they are towing blocks the stop lights...all states require lights on the car being towed that show stop and turn signals, plus marker lights after dark, so that is not the reason. They are called "drag lights" because sometimes they will come off and get dragged behind. *grin*

Answer 3

No, the tow truck does not have lights on because it is going fast and wants to pass you. The lights signal that it may be stopped or going slower than expected so you don't hit it. A tow truck pulling a vehicle also can not stop as quickly or maneuver as well as other cars on the road. Amber lights on any vehicle do not give them any special rights except to signify that they may be causing a traffic hazard by where they are parked.
This answer is good in the US only... I don't know the laws in other countries. In Korea, some tow trucks have red lights & sirens. I get out of the way of those because they would probably run me down if I didn't. Of course, Korea is a very different place.

Answer 4

Assuming you are in the UK and referring to a motorway hard shoulder- then the answer is definitely no. The Highway code is pretty specific on this. Rule 105 lists that you must obey signals given by police officers, traffic officers, traffic wardens and signs used by school crossing patrols.

Breakdown recovery vehicles do not come under the requirements of the relevant laws and therefore you are yourself committing an offense. Rule 264 states You MUST NOT drive on the hard shoulder except in an emergency or if directed to do so by the police, HA traffic officers in uniform or by signs.

Of course if you are somewhere else in the world this could all be incorrect as these rules only apply in the UK.

:-)

Answer 5

In Florida, the answer is yes! It's called the Move Over Law.

http://articles.sun-sentinel.com/2013-10-24/news/fl-tow-trucks-move-over-law-20131024_1_tow-trucks-emergency-vehicles-traffic-laws

Answer 6

It is not required. The lights are flashing so other drivers are aware that a slower vehicle is on the roadway. When I drove a tow truck years ago, the flashers were turned on because the towed vehicle blocked the lights on the back of the tow truck.

Answer 7

No.
Tow trucks usually just have their lights on to show that they're there,and for working/loadings cars up in dark conditions.
By law,you only need to pull over if a police car,ambulance or fire truck has it's lights and siren going.

Answer 8

Tow trucks are privately owned vehicles. They have no more rights then you do. Lights or not.

Answer 9

the correct answer was given by Mary N

Answer 10

no lots of things have flashing lights the red ones are the ones you give way to