Understanding The Move Over Law: Tow Trucks Included

The Move Over Law requires motorists to change lanes and give a safe amount of clearance to emergency vehicles and, in some cases, tow trucks. The law was first implemented in Canada and the United States, with the Canadian province of Ontario being one of the first to adopt it. In the US, all 50 states have now passed such laws, with Hawaii being the last to do so in 2012. The law was created to protect emergency responders working at the roadside and to reduce roadside fatalities. While the specifics of the law vary depending on the state or province, the general rule is that motorists must move over and slow down when passing emergency vehicles or tow trucks with flashing lights.

The Move Over Law in Quebec

Quebec's "Move Over" law came into effect on 5 August 2012. It requires drivers to slow down and provide a buffer lane to a stopped service vehicle with active strobing/rotating lights or an active traffic arrow. This includes tow trucks, emergency vehicles (such as ambulances, police cars, and fire trucks), and highway department patrol and surveillance vehicles.

The law aims to ensure the safety of everyone working on roadways and increase the safety of first responders working by the side of the road. When a service vehicle with flashing lights is stopped on the road, drivers must slow down and, whenever possible, change lanes or get as close to the centre line of the road as possible. If necessary, they can also stop to avoid jeopardising people's lives or safety.

The Quebec Transport Ministry reports that while a significant proportion of drivers know that these manoeuvres apply to emergency vehicles, less awareness has been raised regarding tow trucks and surveillance vehicles. Only 47% of motorists surveyed know that the Move Over law applies to tow trucks, while only 15% know that it applies to surveillance vehicles.

Failing to comply with the Move Over Law, whether on a highway, rural road, or city street, can lead to a fine of $200 to $300 and four demerit points on the driver's record.

The Move Over Law in Ontario

When an emergency vehicle with flashing lights is approaching, drivers in Ontario must follow these steps:

• Slow down to less than the posted speed limit and move to another lane if it is possible and safe to do so.
• Use a turn signal to indicate to other drivers that a lane change is about to occur.
• Move to the right side of the road, ensuring that you are clear of any intersections. There should be a lane of space between your vehicle and the emergency vehicle.
• If you cannot safely move over to another lane, stop your vehicle before reaching the emergency vehicle or wait until the emergency vehicle has passed before proceeding.
• Check that the emergency vehicle has passed and signal again before carefully merging back into traffic.

It is important to note that failing to comply with the Move Over Law in Ontario can result in penalties, including fines ranging from $400 to $2,000, three demerit points on your driving record, and possible suspension of your driver's licence for up to two years. Subsequent offences within five years can lead to increased fines, additional demerit points, potential jail time of up to six months, and an extended driver's licence suspension.

In 2015, Ontario modified the Highway Traffic Act to specifically include tow trucks within the scope of the Move Over Law. This amendment states that motorists must slow down and proceed with caution when approaching stopped tow trucks with flashing amber lights, moving over to another lane if multiple lanes are present. While the section does not define tow trucks as "emergency vehicles", they are still afforded the same protections under the law.

The Move Over Law in the US

In some states, the Move Over Law also applies to vehicles with flashing amber lighting, such as tow trucks, construction vehicles, and other service workers stopped along the side of the road. This includes states like New York, Iowa, Texas, and Florida. The law was first enacted in 2000 in Kansas and has since been adopted by all 50 states, with Hawaii being the last to implement it in 2012. Washington, D.C., is currently the only place in the US without a Move Over Law.

The Move Over Law was created to protect emergency responders working along the roadside. It came about after a series of incidents where emergency responders were struck and injured, or even killed, by passing vehicles. One such incident occurred in 1994 when James D. Garcia, a paramedic in South Carolina, was hit while assisting a driver. This incident led to the creation of the Move Over Law in South Carolina in 1996, which was later revised in 2002 to increase enforceability and fines.

The US Department of Transportation and Federal Highway Administration began addressing the issue of Emergency Scene Safety in 2000, and with the help of public interest groups, the Move Over Law became standard across the US and Canada. The law has helped improve safety for both emergency responders and motorists, reducing the risk of accidents and fatalities.

The Move Over Law and fines

The Move Over Law requires motorists to change lanes and give a safe clearance to emergency vehicles and, in some cases, tow trucks. This law was created to protect emergency responders working along the roadside and prevent roadside fatalities in the line of duty. While the specifics of the law vary by location, the general rule is that drivers must move over and change lanes when they see flashing lights on the side of the road, creating a buffer lane between their vehicle and the stopped emergency vehicle. If changing lanes is not possible, drivers must slow down to a safe and reasonable speed.

In the United States, all 50 states have passed Move Over Laws, with Hawaii being the last state to implement the law in 2012. The fines for violating these laws differ by state and range from $85 to $10,000. For example, in Alaska, the fine for a first offence is $150, while in Arkansas, the fine is $500, and offenders can also face jail time and community service. In some states, like Texas, if the violation results in bodily harm, the driver can be charged with a misdemeanour. In addition to fines, some states, like Nevada, will add points to the driver's license for violating the Move Over Law.

In Canada, most provinces have implemented Move Over Laws, with Quebec being the last province to do so in 2012. The fines for violating these laws also vary by province, with amounts ranging from $200 to $300 in Quebec and up to $2,000 in Ontario. Subsequent offences can result in even higher fines, possible jail time, and suspension of the driver's license.

While the Move Over Law primarily applies to emergency vehicles such as ambulances, fire trucks, and police cars, it is important to note that in some jurisdictions, it also includes tow trucks. For example, in Ontario, Canada, the law specifies that motorists must slow down and proceed with caution when approaching a tow truck with flashing amber lights. Similarly, in the United States, states like Alaska, California, and Florida include tow trucks in their Move Over Laws, requiring drivers to treat them as emergency vehicles and give them the same clearance as police or fire trucks.

The inclusion of tow trucks in the Move Over Law highlights the importance of giving them adequate space and treating them as emergency vehicles, as their work on the side of the road can be just as dangerous as that of other first responders.

The Move Over Law and emergency vehicles

The Move Over Law requires motorists to change lanes and give a safe clearance to emergency vehicles. This includes ambulances, fire trucks, and police cars. In some cases, the law also applies to tow trucks and utility vehicles. The purpose of the law is to protect emergency responders and workers by giving them a clear roadway to respond to emergencies quickly and safely.

In the United States, the Move Over Law refers to requiring drivers to give a one-lane buffer to stopped emergency vehicles. For example, if a driver is in the right lane and sees a stopped police car, they must move one lane over to the left to provide enough buffer space. All 50 states in the US have passed such laws, with Hawaii being the most recent state to implement the law in 2012. However, Washington, D.C., does not currently have a Move Over Law in place.

In Canada, the Move Over Law requires motorists to move to the shoulder and stop when they notice an incoming emergency vehicle with sirens or flashing lights, regardless of the direction it is coming from. This gives emergency vehicles a clear path to respond to emergencies promptly. Most provinces in Canada have similar laws to protect workers and emergency responders. Quebec established its Move Over Law in 2012, which has a broader application than other laws in US states and Canadian provinces. Quebec's law includes tow trucks, emergency vehicles, and highway department patrol vehicles as vehicles that require motorists to slow down and provide a buffer lane.

While the specifics of the Move Over Law may vary by state and province, the general principle is to prioritize the safety of emergency responders and workers by giving them adequate space and a clear roadway to operate. Motorists who fail to follow the Move Over Law may face fines, hinder emergency responders, and potentially cause accidents. Therefore, it is essential for drivers to be aware of and comply with the Move Over Law to ensure the safety of everyone on the road.

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