When was the law instated that you needed to switch lanes next to an emergency vechile?

Question

two police cars on the side of the road in the grass, I slowed down to 53mph when I saw them coming over a hill, but was not aware I had by law to switch lanes.

Answer 1

That law went into effect in PA last year.

Answer 2

Texas Highway Patrol troopers want drivers to show emergency workers they care, not only on Valentines Day but everyday. Beginning today, drivers pulled over by DPS troopers for traffic violations will receive a flyer that reminds them to slow down or move over for stopped emergency vehicles that have emergency lights activated.

This reminder packs an added punch because it’s the law. Since the slow-down or move-over law took effect on Sept. 1, 2003, DPS has written 2,304 citations and 14,404 warnings to drivers who have violated the law. Although DPS has issued several press releases concerning this law, troopers continue to see drivers who do not slow down or move over for emergency vehicles with lights activated, including police, emergency medical service and fire vehicles.

The slow down/move over law requires drivers nearing stopped emergency vehicles with emergency lights activated to either slow down or change lanes. Specifically, the law states a driver must either slow down 20 miles per hour below the speed limit or vacate the lane closest to the stopped emergency vehicle that has emergency lights activated if the road has multiple lanes traveling in the same direction. (If the speed limit is below 25 mph, the driver must slow down to 5 mph.) Drivers should only move over if they can safely and legally do so; otherwise, they should slow down.

“Our Highway Patrol troopers spend a large part of their time working on highways and roads with vehicles speeding past,” said DPS Director Col. Thomas A. Davis Jr. “Just the slightest slip of the wheel can endanger them. This law requires drivers to give them and other emergency vehicles the space they need to perform their duties safely.”

A violation is punishable by a maximum fine of $200. If the violation results in property damage, the maximum fine increases to $500.

Answer 3

Do you mean moving over if there is an emergency vehicle on the shoulder?  There shouldn't NEED to be a law.  That should be common sense and courtesy.

Answer 4

You only need to react to an emergency vehicle when it is responding to an emergency - flashing lights and siren...That means we must yield (GET OUT OF THE WAY) to the e-vehicle...If it is approaching from the front or coming up behind me on an undivided road, 1) get to the right curb or shoulder or 2) to the left curb or shoulder and STOP.

Remember that it is illegal to follow a responding e-vehicle within at least 200 feet...Otherwise, any e-vehicle on routine patrol or coming back from the store is part of the traffic flow, but always be ready to give them right-of-way when they light up...(I failed a license applicant for not giving way to a responding ambulance.)

Answer 5

I first noticed this about a year ago in California, and then in other western states... They have all passed a new law that says you must change lanes (Move to the Left) when passing an emergency or maintenance vehicle that is stopped on the shoulder of the highway.

Answer 6

It depends on where you are.

For example, in Ohio (primarily on the Turnpike) that has been the law for quite some time, but in Michigan it just became the law within the past two years.

But, for safety reasons, you should make it common practice to move over for emergency vehicles.