Photo by Quilia on Unsplash 

Every state has a "Move Over" law, but knowing it exists and knowing what to do in the moment are two very different things. The reality is that most drivers don't fully understand what the law requires, when it applies, or that it even exists. When flashing lights appear ahead, some drivers slow down, some change lanes right away, and others continue with little change at all. That hesitation, uncertainty, or lack of response can turn an already risky roadside situation into something even more dangerous.  

“According to the Emergency Responder Safety Institute, a total of 46 persons responding to a roadside emergency lost their lives while helping people by the roadside during 2024.” 

- Kellan Howell, AAA Newsroom  

These incidents are exactly why Slow Down, Move Over laws exist: to give drivers a simple, predictable response when they approach vehicles stopped on the roadside.  

In the Event of an Emergency-Vehicle   

As soon as drivers spot flashing lights or a stopped vehicle ahead, they must drop their speed and change to the farther lane. These actions help protect those without the safety of a vehicle, as well as those driving by.   

A national survey by AAAFTS found that while two-thirds of drivers say they’ve heard of SDMO laws, many admit they don’t know whether their state has one or what the law entails.   

The details vary by state, including how much drivers are expected to reduce their speed. Still, the general rule is consistent: slow down significantly under the speed limit and move out of the lane closest to the stopped vehicle when it is safe to do so. If moving over isn't possible or there's no other lane available, drivers must slow down and proceed with extra caution.  

More Than First Responders  

Drivers are expected to slow down and move over not only for police, fire, and ambulance vehicles, but also for tow trucks, utility vehicles, and other roadside workers assisting with emergencies or repairs. More recent developments are also expanding these laws to cover anyone who finds themselves stuck on the roadside.  

Part of what makes this tricky is that drivers tend to respond very differently depending on what they see.  Flashing blue and red lights from a police cruiser tend to trigger an immediate reaction, while a tow truck's amber lights or a stranded vehicle with their hazards on often don't carry the same sense of urgency, and that gap in response is where people get hurt.     

“Drivers are far less likely to move over or slow down for tow trucks or stranded vehicles than for police, revealing a widespread misconception about who the laws protect.”   

- Kellan Howell 

What Drivers Are Actually Doing  

In AAA’s review of real-world driving footage, only about 64% of vehicles either slowed down or moved over when passing roadside incidents. Changing lanes was the more common response, but moving over alone does not fully address the risk. Without slowing down, drivers are only doing half the job and leaving the other half of the danger untouched. High speeds near roadside emergencies create unpredictable conditions for responders, stranded motorists, and nearby drivers who may be trying to merge quickly into another lane. 

“Slow Down, Move Over laws exist to protect roadside heroes, first responders, and the stranded motorists who they serve. However, as these statistics demonstrate, drivers do not always follow the law, all too often resulting in preventable tragedies,”  

- Dr. David Yang, President and Executive Director of the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety.      

The safest response is simple: slow down, move over when it is safe, and stay alert until you are well past the roadside scene. Emergency responders, tow truck drivers, and stranded motorists don't get to choose when they're exposed to traffic. But drivers do get to choose how they respond. A few seconds of caution can give a person standing on the shoulder the space they need to stay safe.  

Sources:  

https://newsroom.aaa.com/2025/10/confusion-over-slow-down-move-over-laws-puts-roadside-responders-at-risk/ 

https://www.slashgear.com/2109851/states-cracking-down-drivers-move-over-laws/