Today’s article is on Emergency Vehicles on the side of the roadway. In all 50 states it is the law that you must move over and/or slow down when going past an emergency or construction vehicle on the side of the road. You can receive a ticket if you do not. I know in Illinois the police do “Scott’s Law” enforcement details in the summer, where if you did not correctly pass them, they radioed to another unit who would then pull you over down the road.
As a first responder who works accidents along the road ways I have first-hand knowledge as to how dangerous it is. Just think about standing on the edge of the highway with traffic going 80 to 90 MPH just a few inches from you. Please for all those emergency vehicles there are people that are either inside them or working outside them that want to return home to their families. Please slow down and move over.
We have a policy in Leather & Lace MC about this and here it is:
For the purpose of this policy, an emergency vehicle is any police, fire, ambulance, tow truck or construction vehicle that has flashing lights and may be stopped along the edge of the roadway.
When coming up on an emergency vehicle on the side of the road (along the lane you are traveling in) with its emergency /warning lights in operation, the pack should be moved to the next lane over, if possible. If it is not possible to move to the next lane, the pack should be signaled into single file formation along the lane edge farthest away from the emergency vehicle, and slow down as they pass. Once you are past the stopped emergency vehicle you may then resume your previous formation and speed.
Here is more information on Scott’s law and emergency vehicles:
Scott’s Law – A Traffic Law You MUST Know
Move Over: It’s the Law | NHTSA
