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Arizona Move Over Law
Beginning July 20, the revised “Move Over” law will require drivers to move over for any vehicle, including stranded motorists and emergency roadside personnel, that is displaying flashing lights alongside a freeway or highway. Under previous law, motorists were only required to move over for emergency vehicles.
“The previous ‘Move Over’ law has been successful in safeguarding the lives of law enforcement and emergency services personnel, therefore we are pleased to finally see this protection offered to everyone on the road,” said Linda Gorman, director of communications and public affairs for AAA Arizona. “We applaud our state lawmakers for adopting this legislation and protecting roadside assistance professionals and the motorists they serve.”
Listed under Arizona Revised Statute Section 28-775E-1-2, the new law will require drivers who approach a stationary vehicle that is displaying alternately flashing lights or warning lights to do either of the following:
· Perform a lane change to a non-adjacent lane from the stationary vehicle if safe to do so when travelling on a four-lane highway with at least two lanes proceeding in the same direction as the stationary vehicle.
· If changing lanes is impossible or unsafe, reduce vehicle speed and proceed with caution, maintaining a safe speed for road conditions.
Prior to the adoption of the previous ‘Move Over’ law, eight Department of Public Safety (DPS) officers lost their lives while performing their roadside duties. However, since adopting the law in 2005, no DPS patrol officer has been killed while aiding the public on the side of the road, according to the agency.
In August 2008, tow truck driver Jesse Gault and the motorist he was assisting were killed on State Route 202, when a heavy-equipment truck veered into them. In addition, in 2006, two tow truck drivers lost their lives on Arizona roadways while performing their roadside assistance duties.
Nearly every state(49 states) has a law that requires drivers to slow down and, if safe, “move over” when passing an emergency vehicle that is actively working on a roadway. Of those states, 40 have comprehensive laws that include tow trucks and other road service vehicles. After AAA Arizona, the towing association and other state roadside workers successfully lobbied the state legislature to pass SB 1133, the “Move Over” bill, which was signed into law by Governor Jan Brewer in April, Arizona is one of those states.
To learn more about the law, visit the “Move Over” Law page.
Arizona Bounce Around strongly supports this law and knows how important it is for safety and preserving lives. We spend a lot of time on the road delivering Inflatable party rental equipment all over Arizona and see stranded motorist and responders everywhere. Can you imagine being stranded on the side of the freeway, get out of your vehicle and realize how fast people are passing by you only 3-6 feet away. If you’ve ever been in this position it’s really scary to say the least so show some common courtesy and please move over for any parked vehicle if possible and at the very least slow down when passing them.
A special thanks to Glenn Thompson of Hayden Towing in Scottsdale for being actively involved in helping pass this law in Arizona for the safety of his crew. Great job Glenn!
