National ‘Move Over’ Day 2023

If you’re driving on Phoenix-area freeways Saturday morning, you may see a procession of tow trucks and first responder vehicles, including ADOT’s Incident Response Unit trucks, as part of the Arizona Professional Towing & Recovery Association’s annual parade for National Move Over Day on Oct. 21.

National Move Over Day brings awareness to Arizona’s “Move Over” Law, which requires motorists to move over one lane – or slow down if it isn’t safe to change lanes – when approaching any vehicle on the side of the road with flashing lights.

Being on the side of a busy highway can be scary and dangerous. Unfortunately, it’s not uncommon for roadside assistance professionals and the motorists they are helping to be hit and killed on the side of the road.

When it was first enacted in 2005, the “Move Over” law only applied to authorized emergency vehicles. But in 2011, the law was amended to apply to any vehicle on the side of the road, including passenger cars.

The amended ARS 28-775 states that if a driver approaches a stationary vehicle giving a signal or displaying warning (hazard) lights, the person shall do one of the following:

• If there are enough lanes on the highway and if the person is able to do so safely, the driver must proceed with caution and if possible, with regard to safety and traffic conditions, move over and yield the right-of-way by making a lane change into a lane not adjacent to that of the stationary vehicle.
• If changing lanes is impossible or unsafe, reduce vehicle speed and proceed with caution, maintaining a safe speed for road conditions.

Whether it’s an emergency vehicle responding to an incident or a stranded motorist changing a tire, remember to always “Move Over” when it is safe to do so.