Every day, emergency responders and roadside workers perform critical work just feet away from moving traffic. Giving them additional space can prevent a serious injury or save a life.

North Carolina’s Move Over Law requires drivers approaching a stopped emergency or public service vehicle with flashing lights to move out of the lane closest to that vehicle when it is safe to do so. When changing lanes is not possible or the roadway has only one lane traveling in that direction, drivers must slow down, maintain a safe reduced speed and be prepared to stop.

What Should You Do?

When you see flashing red, blue or amber lights along the roadway:

Move over.
On a roadway with two or more lanes traveling in your direction, safely change lanes to create space between your vehicle and the stopped vehicle.

Slow down.
When you cannot safely change lanes, reduce your speed, proceed cautiously and be prepared to stop.

Stay alert.
Put down distractions, watch for personnel walking or working near the roadway and follow the directions of law enforcement officers or other authorized traffic-control personnel.

Return carefully.
Wait until you have completely passed the stopped vehicles, workers and incident scene before safely returning to your original lane and resuming the posted speed.

Who Does the Law Protect?

The Move Over Law applies to stopped authorized emergency vehicles and qualifying public service vehicles displaying warning lights, including:

• Law enforcement vehicles
• Ambulances and fire apparatus
• Emergency Services vehicles
• Tow trucks assisting disabled or damaged vehicles
• Utility service vehicles
• NCDOT and local government highway-maintenance vehicles
• Highway contractors performing qualifying roadside work
• Solid-waste and recycling collection vehicles

Why Moving Over Matters

Emergency scenes can be unpredictable. Firefighters, paramedics, emergency management, law enforcement officers, transportation crews, tow operators and utility workers may need to stand, walk or carry equipment near an active travel lane.

Moving over creates a safer working area and gives drivers more time to react if someone or something unexpectedly enters the roadway. Never make an abrupt or unsafe lane change. Check your surroundings, signal and move over when it is safe.

It Is More Than a Courtesy—It Is the Law

A violation of North Carolina’s Move Over Law is punishable by a $250 fine. Drivers may face more serious misdemeanor or felony charges when a violation causes property damage, injury, serious injury or death near an emergency or public service vehicle.

Help Us Get Home Safely

Johnston County’s emergency responders are ready to answer the call whenever our community needs help. When you encounter us, or any roadside worker, please give us the room needed to safely do our jobs.

See flashing lights? Move over and slow down.