What you need to know about Virginia’s MOVE OVER law

Do you move over when you see an emergency vehicle on the side of the road in Virginia Beach, Norfolk, or any nearby area?  How about a tow truck?  A construction vehicle?

It is now law in Virginia that you have to move over for all three.  If you see any of these vehicles – you must move over a lane and slow down:

• Emergency vehicle (i.e. ambulance or police car) with its red or blue lights flashing
• Tow truck with amber flashing lights
• Construction vehicle with amber flashing lights

The Move Over Law was originally enacted to keep Virginia’s first responders – police, ambulance drivers, EMTs – safe while responding to a roadside accident or incident.  Unfortunately, many drivers think it is okay to speed right past a vehicle parked on the side of the road.

The danger is that if a driver becomes distracted for even a second, they can plough right into the vehicle on the side of the road, injuring or killing anyone near it or inside it.  It has happened too many times to countless first responders, construction workers, and tow truck drivers.

If Virginia police catch you zipping past one of these vehicles with their lights flashing – and you had room to move over or slow down – be prepared to get a ticket.