# How many dopers know what "move over" laws are, and if they apply to the state they drive in? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [January 6, 2013, 2:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-many-dopers-know-what-move-over-laws-are-and-if-they-apply-to-the-state-they-drive-in/646217 "2013-01-06T02:31:22Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Taomist](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/53a042/32.png) [@Taomist](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Taomist)\ **Post date:** [January 6, 2013, 6:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-many-dopers-know-what-move-over-laws-are-and-if-they-apply-to-the-state-they-drive-in/646217/21 "2013-01-06T06:16:13Z")
I thought it was just common sense; had no clue it was a law. Good to know! ---
**Author:** ![TriPolar](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tripolar/32/3008_2.png) [@TriPolar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TriPolar)\ **Post date:** [January 6, 2013, 6:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-many-dopers-know-what-move-over-laws-are-and-if-they-apply-to-the-state-they-drive-in/646217/22 "2013-01-06T06:19:27Z")
> [@Taomist](#): > > I thought it was just common sense; had no clue it was a law. Good to know! Same here. I spend a lot my driving time moving away from other cars already. I never like driving in the pack or even next to someone. ---
**Author:** ![elfkin477](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/a9a28c/32.png) [@elfkin477](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elfkin477)\ **Post date:** [January 6, 2013, 6:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-many-dopers-know-what-move-over-laws-are-and-if-they-apply-to-the-state-they-drive-in/646217/23 "2013-01-06T06:21:48Z")
> [@sparky\_1](#): > > NH has this. [Yes we do](http://www.gencourt.state.nh.us/rsa/html/XXI/265/265-37-a.htm). I do appriciate that the wording of our law includes the idea of when it’s safe to do so. > [@](#): > > As someone who cruises in the right lane during my long commute, I hate how motorists in the left lane make no effort at all to let you in. No kidding. Just today I was bitching about how much longer the drive to work takes when idiots pretend they don’t understand how [the zipper](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Late_merge) works when we’re supposed to merge two lanes into one. If you’re in the left lane, it’s your duty to let one car merge. Don’t be a jerk and refuse to. ---
**Author:** ![romadea](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/b4bc9f/32.png) [@romadea](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/romadea)\ **Post date:** [January 6, 2013, 6:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-many-dopers-know-what-move-over-laws-are-and-if-they-apply-to-the-state-they-drive-in/646217/24 "2013-01-06T06:38:12Z")
> [@Little\_Nemo](#): > > I think New Yorkers are probably better informed on this than average because the law was amended recently and there’s been a public service ad campaign informing people of the current law. Word; that’s exactly what I came in to say. I know about them because I was informed via a giant flashing sign on the highway on my way to work for several weeks. I’m glad, but I worry that a police officer could get stuck in a loop…pulling someone over for not moving over for him while he had someone pulled over for not moving over for him while he had someone pulled over for not moving over… ---
**Author:** ![squeegee](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/squeegee/32/14537_2.png) [@squeegee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/squeegee)\ **Post date:** [January 6, 2013, 6:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-many-dopers-know-what-move-over-laws-are-and-if-they-apply-to-the-state-they-drive-in/646217/25 "2013-01-06T06:39:06Z")
Interestingly, given the large fines posted above, my state of California has a meager $50 fine for failing to observe the “move over”, where fines for other moving violations here can be very expensive. ---
**Author:** ![Seanette](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/seanette/32/9139_2.png) [@Seanette](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Seanette)\ **Post date:** [January 6, 2013, 7:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-many-dopers-know-what-move-over-laws-are-and-if-they-apply-to-the-state-they-drive-in/646217/26 "2013-01-06T07:51:02Z")
> [@Trinopus](#): > > Heck, I’m amazed at how many people don’t know to move out of the way of an approaching emergency vehicle – the other kind of “move over” law. It sometimes seems like an age test: the older drivers all pull over to the curb to let a fire truck go past, and the younger drivers just…don’t. TBH, this is what I thought the thread would be about, based on the title. I’m always amazed at how few bother to get out of the way of emergency vehicles. Come on, “people”! What if it was YOUR home on fire, or YOUR family member (or YOU) having a life-or-death emergency? Wouldn’t you want that emergency vehicle to be able to GET there ASAP? ---
**Author:** ![andrewbub](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/b9e5f3/32.png) [@andrewbub](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/andrewbub)\ **Post date:** [January 6, 2013, 11:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-many-dopers-know-what-move-over-laws-are-and-if-they-apply-to-the-state-they-drive-in/646217/27 "2013-01-06T11:35:35Z")
i’m aware of such a law, but i’m not aware if it applies to where i live. it really is just a common sense driving law. same thing applies to moving over to allow emergency vehicles to pass. ---
**Author:** ![jem\_1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/2bfe46/32.png) [@jem\_1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jem_1)\ **Post date:** [January 6, 2013, 11:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-many-dopers-know-what-move-over-laws-are-and-if-they-apply-to-the-state-they-drive-in/646217/28 "2013-01-06T11:49:32Z")
> [@Trinopus](#): > > I only learned of this very recently, from a friend who’s a truckie. He talked his way out of a ticket for it, by explaining that he _couldn’t_ move over, as someone was in the next lane already. Yesterday, my daughter’s 17 yo friend was very lucky to avoid a huge fine the same way, she told the officers that she couldn’t move over to the left lane. They told her that if you can’t move over due to traffic, you should come to a complete stop in the right lane, until it’s possible to merge to the left. (Ohio) ---
**Author:** ![steviep24](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/5f9b8f/32.png) [@steviep24](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/steviep24)\ **Post date:** [January 6, 2013, 1:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-many-dopers-know-what-move-over-laws-are-and-if-they-apply-to-the-state-they-drive-in/646217/29 "2013-01-06T13:14:31Z")
[This video](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7HaXadaFNPM) is a good example why move over laws were passed. The accident in this video was most likely caused by rubber necking. Some drivers are unable to or are not skilled enough to overcome the natural tendency to steer in the direction they’re looking. So a crash results. ---
**Author:** ![Musicat](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/musicat/32/20189_2.png) [@Musicat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Musicat)\ **Post date:** [January 6, 2013, 2:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-many-dopers-know-what-move-over-laws-are-and-if-they-apply-to-the-state-they-drive-in/646217/30 "2013-01-06T14:15:31Z")
> [@jem\_1](#): > > Yesterday, my daughter’s 17 yo friend was very lucky to avoid a huge fine the same way, she told the officers that she couldn’t move over to the left lane. They told her that if you can’t move over due to traffic, you should come to a complete stop in the right lane, until it’s possible to merge to the left. > > (Ohio) That would be very dangerous, and it’s not what the [Ohio law](http://codes.ohio.gov/orc/4511.213) says (bolding mine): > [@](#): > > 4511.213 Approaching stationary public safety vehicle displaying emergency light. > > \ > > (1) If the driver of the motor vehicle is traveling on a highway that consists of at least two lanes that carry traffic in the same direction of travel as that of the driver’s motor vehicle, the driver shall **proceed with due caution** and, if possible and with due regard to the road, weather, and traffic conditions, shall change lanes into a lane that is not adjacent to that of the stationary public safety vehicle, an emergency vehicle, or a road service vehicle. > > (2) If the driver is not traveling on a highway of a type described in division (A)(1) of this section, or if the driver is traveling on a highway of that type but it is not possible to change lanes or if to do so would be unsafe, the driver shall **proceed with due caution, reduce the speed of the motor vehicle, and maintain a safe speed** for the road, weather, and traffic conditions. ---
**Author:** ![Martin\_Hyde](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/47e85d/32.png) [@Martin\_Hyde](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Martin_Hyde)\ **Post date:** [January 6, 2013, 2:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-many-dopers-know-what-move-over-laws-are-and-if-they-apply-to-the-state-they-drive-in/646217/31 "2013-01-06T14:36:06Z")
I’m not sure if Virginia has a move over law, but I’ve always tried to move over when I can and I think I’ve noticed people doing this pretty much ever since I first learned to drive. Now, in heavy traffic it usually just isn’t reasonable or possible, but I do slow down and pay close attention as I pass the stopped emergency vehicle. I’ll move over even for non-emergency vehicles, on the interstate if I see a semi pulling over or etc I’m pretty quick to move over, since I know for the larger vehicles like that the driver may have to step out very close to the roadway since their vehicle is so big in relation to the shoulder. ---
**Author:** ![Clothahump](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/51bf81/32.png) [@Clothahump](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Clothahump)\ **Post date:** [January 6, 2013, 2:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-many-dopers-know-what-move-over-laws-are-and-if-they-apply-to-the-state-they-drive-in/646217/32 "2013-01-06T14:44:32Z")
Texas has had one since 2003. [Here’s one reason why that kind of law is so important.](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KEzhQ3RAD-0) ---
**Author:** ![WhyNot](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/c77e96/32.png) [@WhyNot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WhyNot)\ **Post date:** [January 6, 2013, 2:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-many-dopers-know-what-move-over-laws-are-and-if-they-apply-to-the-state-they-drive-in/646217/33 "2013-01-06T14:55:54Z")
Hmmm…that link tells me Illinois has passed one, but when I click it, takes me nowhere useful. The stickers on emergency vehicles here have “Move to the Right For Sirens and Lights”. Catchy. Useful for when you’re driving and you see an emergency vehicle in motion approaching. But it would seem to be exactly the \*opposite \*of the “move over” instructions that you’re talking about - cops tend to pull people over on the right. When they’re stopped, the last place I want to go is to the Right, 'cause that’s where the ditch/sidewalk is! I’ve never noticed any sort of signs or stickers talking about moving to the left when an emergency vehicle is in park. Law or not, I do it. I do it 'cause I don’t want to squish a cop, not because it’s a law. ---
**Author:** ![BrotherCadfael](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/977dab/32.png) [@BrotherCadfael](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrotherCadfael)\ **Post date:** [January 6, 2013, 3:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-many-dopers-know-what-move-over-laws-are-and-if-they-apply-to-the-state-they-drive-in/646217/34 "2013-01-06T15:00:17Z")
> [@monstro](#): > > My mother just learned about this law the hard way. A $600 ticket. > [@steviep24](#): > > $275.00 fine and 3 points on your driver’s license for first time offenders, higher fine for repeat offenders. When this law was originally proposed a few years ago legislators considered jail time as well. As the spouse of a (now retired) police officer, I am all for it. ---
**Author:** ![chiroptera](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/df705f/32.png) [@chiroptera](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/chiroptera)\ **Post date:** [January 6, 2013, 3:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-many-dopers-know-what-move-over-laws-are-and-if-they-apply-to-the-state-they-drive-in/646217/35 "2013-01-06T15:18:38Z")
Michigan has a “move over” law and I’m aware of it although I don’t know what the penalties are. Even if it wasn’t a law, doesn’t it make sense to move over a lane if you can do so safely, not only for emergency vehicles, but for someone changing a tire or broken down? Just seems courteous, if nothing else. It’s a little unnerving being stuck on the shoulder trying to change a tire with 4,000 lb vehicles passing you at 70 mph just a few feet away. And downright unpleasant if the roadway is wet. ---
**Author:** ![chiroptera](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/df705f/32.png) [@chiroptera](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/chiroptera)\ **Post date:** [January 6, 2013, 3:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-many-dopers-know-what-move-over-laws-are-and-if-they-apply-to-the-state-they-drive-in/646217/36 "2013-01-06T15:29:53Z")
[Michigan’s](http://www.legislature.mi.gov/%28S%280sgbfyyj5e0fzsv4442de555%29%29/mileg.aspx?page=getobject&objectname=mcl-257-653a&highlight=) law seems to be similar to Ohio’s. Potentially heavy penalties, too. > [@](#): > > (1) Upon approaching and passing a stationary authorized emergency vehicle that is giving a visual signal by means of flashing, rotating, or oscillating red, blue, or white lights as permitted by section 698, the driver of an approaching vehicle shall exhibit due care and caution, as required under the following: > > (a) On any public roadway with at least 2 adjacent lanes proceeding in the same direction of the stationary authorized emergency vehicle, the driver of the approaching vehicle shall proceed with caution and yield the right-of-way by moving into a lane at least 1 moving lane or 2 vehicle widths apart from the stationary authorized emergency vehicle, unless directed otherwise by a police officer. If movement to an adjacent lane or 2 vehicle widths apart is not possible due to weather, road conditions, or the immediate presence of vehicular or pedestrian traffic in parallel moving lanes, the driver of the approaching vehicle shall proceed as required in subdivision (b). > > (b) On any public roadway that does not have at least 2 adjacent lanes proceeding in the same direction as the stationary authorized emergency vehicle, or if the movement by the driver of the vehicle into an adjacent lane or > > 2 vehicle widths apart is not possible as described in subdivision (a), the approaching vehicle shall reduce and maintain a safe speed for weather, road conditions, and vehicular or pedestrian traffic and proceed with due care and caution, or as directed by a police officer. > > (2) Except as provided in subsections (3) and (4), a person who violates this section is guilty of a misdemeanor punishable by a fine of not more than $500.00 or imprisonment for not more than 90 days, or both. > > (3) A person who violates this section and causes injury to a police officer, firefighter, or other emergency response personnel in the immediate area of the stationary authorized emergency vehicle is guilty of a felony punishable by a fine of not more than $1,000.00 or imprisonment for not more than 2 years, or both. > > (4) A person who violates this section and causes death to a police officer, firefighter, or other emergency response personnel in the immediate area of the stationary authorized emergency vehicle is guilty of a felony punishable by a fine of not more than $7,500.00 or by imprisonment for not more than 15 years, or both. ---
**Author:** ![Sahirrnee](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sahirrnee/32/13937_2.png) [@Sahirrnee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sahirrnee)\ **Post date:** [January 6, 2013, 5:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-many-dopers-know-what-move-over-laws-are-and-if-they-apply-to-the-state-they-drive-in/646217/37 "2013-01-06T17:53:46Z")
MD passed it 2010, I only found out when a co-worker got a ticket. I’ve always done it when I could anyway, no matter who it is. You never know if somebody will open a door or step out into the road or if a kid or dog will jump out in front of you. ---
**Author:** ![pullin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/c57346/32.png) [@pullin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pullin)\ **Post date:** [January 6, 2013, 7:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-many-dopers-know-what-move-over-laws-are-and-if-they-apply-to-the-state-they-drive-in/646217/38 "2013-01-06T19:39:14Z")
> [@Clothahump](#): > > Texas has had one since 2003. > > [Here’s one reason why that kind of law is so important.](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KEzhQ3RAD-0) I believe ours is “move over, _or slow to 20 mph below the posted limit_”. This seems pretty reasonable to me. Due to towing large trailers, I find myself trapped in the right lane sometimes when approaching an emergency vehicle. The second option of slowing down makes this much safer (imo). ---
**Author:** ![Rushgeekgirl](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rushgeekgirl/32/3715_2.png) [@Rushgeekgirl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rushgeekgirl)\ **Post date:** [January 6, 2013, 8:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-many-dopers-know-what-move-over-laws-are-and-if-they-apply-to-the-state-they-drive-in/646217/39 "2013-01-06T20:40:22Z")
I know better than to not move over. I didn’t realize it wasn’t the law until 2003 here. I think I was taught it was always the law. Maybe it was a local thing. ---
**Author:** ![Rhiannon8404](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rhiannon8404/32/17929_2.png) [@Rhiannon8404](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rhiannon8404)\ **Post date:** [January 6, 2013, 11:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-many-dopers-know-what-move-over-laws-are-and-if-they-apply-to-the-state-they-drive-in/646217/40 "2013-01-06T23:44:46Z")
It never occurred to me that it wasn’t the law everywhere that you have to pull over for emergency vehicles. > [@squeegee](#): > > Interestingly, given the large fines posted above, my state of California has a meager $50 fine for failing to observe the “move over”, where fines for other moving violations here can be very expensive. I think it should be ten times that amount. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-many-dopers-know-what-move-over-laws-are-and-if-they-apply-to-the-state-they-drive-in/646217.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-many-dopers-know-what-move-over-laws-are-and-if-they-apply-to-the-state-they-drive-in/646217.md?page=3)