DPS, other agencies to enforce ‘Move Over’ law

The Arizona Department of Public Safety says it will be enforcing the state’s Move Over law, requiring motorists to move one lane over while passing vehicles on the side of the road with flashing lights, including police, ambulances, fire trucks, tow trucks and others.

Tragically, crashes involving emergency and other vehicles that are pulled over along highway shoulders claim hundreds of lives across the country each year.

That’s why a statewide campaign is being launched this week to raise awareness about Arizona’s “Move Over” law. The Arizona Department of Transportation, along with the Department of Public Safety and several key partners hope the “Move Over, AZ” campaign will prevent the type of roadside crashes that, although preventable, result in hundreds of deaths and injuries across the country every year.

Similar to Move Over laws in other states, Arizona’s law requires all drivers to move over one lane, or slow down and use caution if changing lanes is not possible, when traveling past any vehicle with flashing lights that is pulled to the side of the roadway.

Nationally, one tow truck driver is killed about every six days and an average of one law enforcement officer and 23 highway workers are killed every month by drivers who don’t move over or slow down. Emergency responders, roadside assistance providers and stranded motorists also are at risk.

Along with ADOT, the “Move Over, AZ” campaign partners include the Arizona Department of Public Safety, the Arizona Governor’s Office of Highway Safety, AAA of Arizona, the Arizona Professional Towing & Recovery Association, the Phoenix Fire Department, Rural/Metro and Southwest Ambulance.

The public awareness campaign will include “Move Over Mondays” during March, when DPS officers will enhance enforcement of the law on interstates and highways statewide. Drivers observed in violation of the Move Over law can be cited and required to pay a fine.