Move Over Law

ADOT, DPS and other agencies raising awareness of state's "Move Over" law to protect emergency responders, highway crews and stranded motorists

ADOT, DPS and other agencies raising awareness of state's "Move Over" law to protect emergency responders, highway crews and stranded motorists

I-17 101 traffic interchange

ADOT, DPS and other agencies raising awareness of state's "Move Over" law to protect emergency responders, highway crews and stranded motorists

ADOT, DPS and other agencies raising awareness of state's "Move Over" law to protect emergency responders, highway crews and stranded motorists

March 11, 2013

PHOENIX — Every day, emergency and public safety crews put their lives on the line to help motorists stranded along highways. Tragically, crashes involving emergency and other vehicles that are pulled over along highway shoulders claim hundreds of lives across the country each year.

That’s why a statewide campaign is being launched today to raise awareness about Arizona’s “Move Over” law. The Arizona Department of Transportation, along with the Department of Public Safety and several key partners hope the “Move Over, AZ” campaign will prevent the type of roadside crashes that, although preventable, result in hundreds of deaths and injuries across the country every year.

Similar to Move Over laws in other states, Arizona’s law requires all drivers to move over one lane, or slow down and use caution if changing lanes is not possible, when traveling past any vehicle with flashing lights that is pulled to the side of the roadway.

Nationally, one tow truck driver is killed about every six days and an average of one law enforcement officer and 23 highway workers are killed every month by drivers who don’t move over or slow down. Emergency responders, roadside assistance providers and stranded motorists also are at risk.

Along with ADOT, the “Move Over, AZ” campaign partners include the Arizona Department of Public Safety, the Arizona Governor’s Office of Highway Safety, AAA of Arizona, the Arizona Professional Towing & Recovery Association, the Phoenix Fire Department, Rural/Metro and Southwest Ambulance.

The public awareness campaign will include “Move Over Mondays” during March, when DPS officers will enhance enforcement of the law on interstates and highways statewide. Drivers observed in violation of the Move Over law can be cited and required to pay a fine.

ADOT has produced TV and radio public service announcements in English and Spanish and teamed with the Arizona Broadcasters Association to encourage stations across Arizona to air them. The TV PSA can be viewed at http://youtu.be/gWOb2mAAHbY.

The Move Over campaign has its own web site at www.MoveOverAZ.org. The site includes a compelling video featuring Kayla Gault, whose father, tow-truck driver Jesse S. Gault, was killed along with a stranded motorist when a vehicle struck them along Loop 202 in Mesa in 2008.

Messages to remind drivers about the Move Over law also will be displayed on electronic signs above highways, and ADOT will use its social media outlets, including Twitter (www.Twitter.com/ArizonaDOT) to provide even more information about “Move Over, AZ.” 

Arizona’s Move Over law took effect in 2005 to protect law enforcement officers and emergency responders assisting the public. It was enhanced in July 2011 to include all vehicles pulled over with flashing lights.

Move Over AZ: Every Vehicle, Every Time

Move Over AZ: Every Vehicle, Every Time

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Move Over AZ: Every Vehicle, Every Time

Move Over AZ: Every Vehicle, Every Time

March 11, 2013

There’s something really simple you can do to help prevent a serious danger out on our highways and roads – want to know what it is?

Move Over (see, we told you it’d be simple).

All we’re asking is that drivers move over one lane to create a safe margin of space when passing by any vehicle on the side of the road with lights flashing – that includes regular passenger vehicles, tow trucks, highway maintenance vehicles, ambulances and law enforcement vehicles. If moving over isn’t possible or safe, we ask that you slow down and drive by with caution.

We want you to do this not only because it’s the law, but because it could help save a life…

Across the nation, a number people killed each year after being struck by a vehicle while on the side of a roadway. These types of crashes kill one tow truck driver every six days; 23 highway workers and one law enforcement officer every month and five firefighters every year.

Tow truck drivers, highway workers, paramedics and law enforcement officers are most at risk, but any driver who pulls over for whatever reason – flat tire, no gas, engine trouble, etc. – faces this danger.

Move Over Law
Commonly known as Arizona’s “Move Over” law, ARS 28-775E-1-2 was established in 2005 to reduce injuries and fatalities to law enforcement officers and emergency responders assisting the public. It was enhanced in July 2011 to include ALL vehicles with lights flashing, such as tow trucks, ADOT maintenance vehicles and private vehicles.

Still, those who regularly work on or near our highways say many drivers don’t seem to know about the law.

“Many drivers seemingly have no concept of what they are supposed to do when they drive by a vehicle that is pulled over with flashing lights,” says Tom Donithan, someone with more than 25 years experience with ADOT maintenance. “Increasing awareness about this law for even 10 percent of the drivers on our highways will have a huge, positive impact.”

Move Over Mondays
In order to raise understanding of the law, Arizona Department of Public Safety officers will be enhancing their enforcement every Monday in March starting today. That means on March 11, 18 and 25, DPS officers will be extra watchful for violations of the Move Over law.

Drivers who are pulled over could be cited for the moving violation that comes with a $150+ fine depending on your jurisdiction.

But, like we said above, we don’t want you to move over just because it’s the law or because you’ll be fined (although that should be great motivation to comply). We want all drivers to be aware that the Move Over law is one that aims to save lives, including yours!

So, remember…

  • MOVE Over when you see any vehicle with flashing lights on the side of any road or highway.
  • SLOW DOWN AND USE CAUTION if you cannot move over.
  • Not obeying the law is a moving violation punishable by fines; worse, you or someone else could be injured or killed.

For more information, visit moveoverAZ.org.

"Move Over" law now covers all vehicles on the side of the road

"Move Over" law now covers all vehicles on the side of the road

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"Move Over" law now covers all vehicles on the side of the road

"Move Over" law now covers all vehicles on the side of the road

July 19, 2011

The "Move Over" law now pertains to all stationary vehicles on the side of the road.

Ever been stuck on the side of the road?

Perhaps a flat tire was to blame, or maybe an overheated engine forced you to pull over. Whatever the reason, most will agree the side of a busy freeway is not the ideal parking spot.

Since 2005, a law has been in place that aims to protect authorized emergency vehicles on the side of the road by making it a requirement that other drivers move over into a farther lane if possible to give a little space for safety.

But, starting July 20, the law will be amended to include the same precautions for any stationary vehicle – that includes tow-truck drivers, emergency personnel, stranded motorists, ADOT employees and anyone else in a vehicle on the side of the road.

Commonly known as the “Move Over” law, the amended ARS 28-775 states that if a person driving a vehicle 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 would be impossible or unsafe, the driver must proceed with due caution and reduce speed, maintaining a safe speed for road conditions.
  • The law is a popular one because 49 states have a “move over” law pertaining to emergency vehicles. According to AAA Arizona, of those states, 40 (including Arizona) have a more comprehensive rule that includes all vehicles.

“Public policy already recognizes that this is a safety issue for law enforcement,” said Kevin Biesty, ADOT Government Relations Director. “It’s common sense that the same policy should apply to anyone on the side of the road, whether it be one of our ADOT crews, a tow-truck driver, or a parent changing a tire with their kids in the van.”