Visit our Popular Forums

rdevous · 03-07-2010, 01:11 PM

It is the law in most states that when you come upon an emergency vehicle with his lights flashing that you are required to move over one lane or slow to 20 MPH. If the posted speed is 25 MPH or less, you slow to 5 MPH. I did not know this and was surprised when I heard it. I found this when I searched Snopes.com.
snopes.com: 'Move Over' Traffic Laws

Ray

easyride · 03-07-2010, 01:20 PM

That law is in effect in Fl,and they do enforce it. Dave

FreshAir · 03-07-2010, 01:25 PM

I believe it's so here in Ca. If not it will be. No matter for me 'cuz when if it is safe I move over anyway.
Neil.

WILDRTEXAS · 03-07-2010, 01:32 PM

ITS HERE IN TEXAS....athought the law was learned a bit too late for a friend of mine... :{

loudruff · 03-07-2010, 01:37 PM

Having been an ambulance driver for some years, I am in favor of this law. Folks need to slow down and pull over if they can. Between the safety people/officers and the medical personnel, it is a situation that becomes downright scary. Not to mention the drivers that are busy gawking and those that are texting. I hope that the police and SHP enforce it!

Jim Foster · 03-07-2010, 01:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FreshAir

I believe it's so here in Ca. If not it will be. No matter for me 'cuz when if it is safe I move over anyway.
Neil.

As of January 1, 2010, it is the law in California. You are to move over if you can safely, or if you can not move over safely, slow to a safe and prudent speed according to traffic, weather and pedestrian conditions.

WILDRTEXAS · 03-07-2010, 01:46 PM

Dont get me wrong, I so for the law. Lots of distracted drivers...
But then again, I STILL pull to the side of the road for a hearst/funeral ceremony.

cameront120 · 03-07-2010, 01:58 PM

Here in British Columbia (and other Provinces, I believe), you must pull over to the side of the road and stop. Regardless of the direction the emergency vehicle is driving.

The British Columbia Motor Vehicle Act Section 177 states:

“On the immediate approach of an emergency vehicle giving an audible signal by a bell, siren or exhaust whistle, and showing a visible flashing red light, except when otherwise directed by a peace officer, a driver just yield the right of way, and immediately drive to a position parallel to and as close as possible to the nearest edge or curb of the roadway, clear of an intersection, and stop and remain in that position until the emergency vehicle has passed.”

**moosetags** · 03-07-2010, 02:05 PM

Florida's law requires that you move into the other lane, if possible, or reduce your speed the 20 mph below the posted speed limit, not to 20 mph unless you are in a 40 mph zone.

Brian

Lumatic · 03-07-2010, 02:12 PM

New Mexico law states you must yield the right of way to emergency vehicles. I think how it is done may not be statute but practice. Here in rural NM most drivers pull on the right shoulder and stop.

Mackhopp · 03-07-2010, 03:30 PM

The "pull over and stop" law is also in effect in Ontario.

On a multi-lane highway (max. 100km/h speed limit)
Slow down, signal and move to the right. If possible, pull as close as you can to the right side of the roadway and stop when safe to do so. Do not move onto the shoulder.

On a two-lane road
Signal and move to the right. Pull as close as possible to the right edge of the road, clear of any intersection, and stop.

On a one-way street
Signal and pull to the right or the left side of the street, clear of any intersection, and stop.

At intersections
Traffic in an intersection or approaching from all directions must yield to an emergency vehicle until it passes through the intersection. Never block the intersection. Do not make a left turn if an emergency vehicle is approaching from behind. In this situation, the motorist should proceed straight through the intersection, then pull to the right and stop.

Take lights and sirens seriously. Pull to the right and stop. It’s the law.

Ag&Au · 03-07-2010, 03:38 PM

there seems to be two parallel discussions going on here.

The first post was about moving left or slowing down when an emergency vehicle is stopped on the shoulder. not a law in all states, but more all the time.

There are also several posts about moving to the shoulder and stopping when a moving emergency vehicle is encountered. I believe that is pretty much universal.

am I confused?

Regrds,
Ken

Gene · 03-07-2010, 04:17 PM

The law about moving over and slowing when approaching an emergency vehicle has been adopted in lots of states in recent years. Usually the situation is a cop giving a ticket to someone.

If it's at night, police cars now have so many lights on them, it is hard to see because they almost blind me and actually seem to make the situation more dangerous. I wonder if they understand that? Secondly, if the cop is busy giving a ticket, how is he going to catch you if you blow by him? Doesn't that make the law nearly unenforceable?

Gene

aftermath · 03-07-2010, 04:24 PM

Same here in Washington too. That is the state, not the district.

Jim Foster · 03-07-2010, 04:24 PM

Let's be clear. The new law in California is for when you are approaching a vehicle that is stopped along the side of the road, not for a moving vehicle with it's lights flashing. That's another subject.

Mackhopp · 03-07-2010, 04:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by w7ts

there seems to be two parallel discussions going on here.

The first post was about moving left or slowing down when an emergency vehicle is stopped on the shoulder. not a law in all states, but more all the time.

There are also several posts about moving to the shoulder and stopping when a moving emergency vehicle is encountered. I believe that is pretty much universal.

am I confused?

Regrds,
Ken

You're right - my bad.

So now that I'm back on track, I'm pretty sure that in Ontario, there's no specific law w/r to speeds when approaching a stopped emergency vehicles with flashing lights.

They just say to slow down and pass with caution, and if there's more than one lane the motorist must move to the other lane.

Lumatic · 03-07-2010, 04:48 PM

Not 100 percent on police, but I know first hand about fire and ems vehicles in NM.

First if you pull up behind a vehicle stopped at a light you turn off your lights and siren. Same if you are caught in traffic. You are only allowed to go 10 mph over the speed limit. If you go through a red light and the guy with the green hits you, you are liable.

345bill · 03-07-2010, 04:59 PM

If it's at night, police cars now have so many lights on them, it is hard to see because they almost blind me and actually seem to make the situation more dangerous.

Gene[/QUOTE]

yep, and in our area seems the freeways are constantly under construction at nightime having very bright floodlights that seem to be aimed directly at incoming drivers eyes. Sure works though for making everyone slow down.

**azflycaster** · 03-07-2010, 05:00 PM

If a person driving a vehicle approaches a stationary, authorized emergency vehicle... giving a signal...displaying alternately flashing red, red and blue, the person shall do one of the following:

If on a highway having at least 2 lanes proceeding in the same direction as the approaching vehicle, proceed with due caution and if possible, with due regard to safety and traffic conditions, yield the right of way by making a lane change into a lane not adjacent to that of the emergency vehicle
If changing lanes would be impossible or unsafe proceed with due caution and reduce speed, maintaining a safe speed for road conditions.