SACRAMENTO, California -Crash Responder Safety Week is underway with a reminder to drivers about California’s Move Over Law.
The Move Over Law requires drivers to move over a lane when it is safe to do so, or to significantly slow down when passing vehicles with flashing amber lights.
The reminder is important, traffic safety experts say, because every year highway workers, police officers, emergency personnel and tow truck drivers are injured or even killed while stopped on California’s roads.
These accident responders said California drivers can help keep workers safe by slowing down in work zones, obeying the “Move Over” law and always being “Work Zone Alert”.
On its website, Caltrans states that drivers should move over for any stopped vehicle displaying emergency or warning lights. This includes, but is not limited to
- A stationary, marked DOT vehicle with flashing amber warning lights.
- A stationary authorised emergency vehicle displaying emergency lights.
- A stationary towing vehicle with flashing amber warning lights.
If it’s unsafe to pass for any reason, Caltrans says drivers must slow to a reasonable speed that is safe for existing weather, road, and vehicle or pedestrian traffic conditions.