QUESTION: I've heard that California has a new law called "Move Over, Slow Down," that requires freeway

Question

drivers to change lanes or slow down when approaching a stopped emergency vehicle. If this is true, can you provide a more detailed description of the law?

Answer 1

Just to add my 2 cents: I was driving US40E (in Tenn.) two years ago during sundown and happened upon a disabled motorist broken down in the right lane (of 2 lanes), while not a police officer I do have emergency lighting on my car (amber for escort service) and decided to help out. I parked my car on the shoulder about 1/8 mi. ahead of the stalled guys car and went to see if I could help him out. Long story short, he was drunk as a skunk, outta gas, and refused to get out of his car. Longer story shorter, I called police who arrived and (little to my knowledge, cause I'm from Jersey, & I don't think we have it here yet) informed me of the "move over law", that I may have unwittingly saved this wino's life by placement of my car with it's lights going.

I do agree it is a little stupid (the law) but now routinely practice it in the Garden State because of the circumstances I learned about it! --IC

Answer 2

I don't know about CA but that's the case in IL and MO- the law is what it sounds like. If an emergency vehicle is on the side of the road assisting a disabled motorist etc etc... then drivers on the freeway are expected to slow down and move to the next lane (to put more space between the motorist and the emergency personnel/vehicle). Tickets range from 50-150 depending on the conditions etc... If there isn't any room to move over then you can't be ticketed because it would have been unsafe for you to change lanes... The law is more of a scare tactic than anything but it's important because it puts more space between motorisits and emergency personnel (theoretically) which reduces the number of injuries among police, emt's, firefighters and so on...

I listed the link for the IL law which is called "Scott's Law" but I'm sure if you do a little digging you can find CA specific info...

Answer 3

Michigan also has this law.. basically if there is an emergency vehicle on the side you are to move over at least one lane or you can get a ticket. I like it but it is dangerous because in rush hour traffic you have everyone trying to switch lanes!

Answer 4

It seems to be going that way in a lot of states. Basically, if there's a stopped emergency vehicle (flashing lights), you have to get in the opposite lane as the shoulder it is on, assuming there is room to do so.

Answer 5

Tn and NC have this law as well.

That's the TN version :
T.C.A. 55-8-132. Operation of vehicles and streetcars on approach of authorized emergency vehicles.

(a) Upon the immediate approach of an authorized emergency vehicle making use of audible and visual signals meeting the requirements of the applicable laws of this state, or of a police vehicle properly and lawfully making use of an audible signal only:

(1) The driver of every other vehicle shall yield the right-of-way and shall immediately drive to a position parallel to, and as close as possible to, the right-hand edge or curb of the roadway clear of any intersection, and shall stop and remain in such position until the authorized emergency vehicle has passed, except when otherwise directed by a police officer; and

(2) Upon the approach of an authorized emergency vehicle, as above stated, the operator of every streetcar shall immediately stop such car clear of any intersection and keep it in such position until the authorized emergency vehicle has passed, except when otherwise directed by a police officer.

(b) Upon approaching a stationary authorized emergency vehicle, when such vehicle is giving a signal by use of flashing lights, a person who drives an approaching vehicle shall:

(1) Proceeding with due caution, yield the right-of-way by making a lane change into a lane not adjacent to that of the authorized emergency vehicle, if possible with due regard to safety and traffic conditions, if on a highway having at least four (4) lanes with not less than two (2) lanes proceeding in the same direction as the approaching vehicle; or

(2) Proceeding with due caution, reduce the speed of the vehicle, maintaining a safe speed for road conditions, if changing lanes would be impossible or unsafe.

(c) Upon approaching a stationary recovery vehicle or a highway maintenance vehicle, when such vehicle is giving a signal by use of authorized flashing lights, a person who drives an approaching vehicle shall:

(1) Proceeding with due caution, yield the right-of-way by making a lane change into a lane not adjacent to the stationary recovery vehicle or the highway maintenance vehicle, if possible with due regard to safety and traffic conditions, if on a highway having at least four (4) lanes with not less than two (2) lanes proceeding in the same direction as the approaching vehicle; or

(2) Proceeding with due caution, reduce the speed of the vehicle, maintaining a safe speed for road conditions, if changing lanes would be impossible or unsafe.

(d) For the purpose of this section unless the context otherwise requires:

(1) "Highway maintenance vehicle" means a vehicle used for the maintenance of highways and roadways in this state and is:

(A) Owned or operated by the department of transportation, a county, a municipality or other political subdivision of this state; or,

(B) Owned or operated by a contractor under contract with the department of transportation, a county, a municipality or other political subdivision of this state;

(2) "Recovery vehicle" means a truck that is specifically designed for towing a disabled vehicle or a combination of vehicles.

(e) A violation of this section is a Class B misdemeanor punishable by a fine of $100 to $500, or imprisonment not greater than 30 days, or both.

(f) This section shall not operate to relieve the driver of an authorized emergency vehicle, a recovery vehicle or a highway maintenance vehicle from the duty to operate such vehicle with due regard for the safety of all persons using the highway.

[Acts 1955, ch. 329, § 31; T.C.A., § 59-832; Acts 2003, ch. 384, § 1.]

Source:
Tennessee Code/TITLE 55 MOTOR AND OTHER VEHICLES /CHAPTER 8 OPERATION OF VEHICLES - RULES OF THE ROAD /55-8-132. Operation of vehicles and streetcars on approach of authorized emergency vehicles.