ADOT observes National Move Over Day
ADOT observes National Move Over Day
Law requires motorists to ‘Move Over’ for vehicles flashing lights on side of road
PHOENIX – A car with blinking hazard lights, stranded on the road with a flat tire. A law enforcement cruiser with its red and blue lights flashing on the side of the highway.
If you encounter these situations, you should “Move Over.”
Arizona’s Move Over law requires motorists to move over a lane, or slow down if it’s not safe to change lanes, when driving past any vehicle with flashing lights pulled off to the side of the road. That’s not just emergency lights from first responder vehicles — it includes passenger cars, too.
Ahead of National Move Over Day on Saturday, Oct. 17, ADOT is reminding drivers to stay alert and move over. This law protects everyone on the roadways: first responders, occupants of passenger vehicles, tow truck operators, maintenance crews and members of ADOT’s Incident Response Unit, sponsored by GEICO.
“Our Incident Response Unit members put themselves at risk when they respond to crashes, broken down vehicles and more with the goal of restoring traffic flow as quickly and safely as possible after an incident has occurred,” Abraham Asermely, Incident Response Unit program administrator, said. “When drivers slow down and move over, not only does it help keep our crew members safer and allows us to do our work of clearing crashes more efficiently, it keeps the traveling public safer, too.”
Whether it’s a motorist trying to fix a flat tire or a first responder working the scene of an incident on the side of the road, drivers moving over a lane create a safer area to work. Not only is it the law, moving over can save a life. In 2025, there were 66 possible crashes involving first responders or their vehicles on all Arizona roads, according to crash reports compiled by ADOT.
Giving that extra space for a vehicle with flashing lights on the side of the road can help reduce the risk of crashing into someone pulled over on the roadway.
As part of ADOT’s efforts to engage the public on how to increase safety for first responders, a traffic safety message related to Arizona’s Move Over law will be displayed on overhead message signs.