Move over law

In the past, Canada and the United States have used this term to apply to two different concepts; however, this is beginning to change as Canadian provinces have begun expanding the scope of their move over laws.

Amendments were made to the province's Traffic Safety Act to require drivers to either slow down or move over when passing emergency vehicles or tow trucks stopped on the side of a highway when their "flashing lamps are operating.

In 2015, Ontario modified the Highway Traffic Act, stating motorists shall slow down and proceed with caution, moving over if multiple lanes exist, when approaching stopped tow trucks producing intermittent flashes of amber light.

The move over law originated in Lexington, South Carolina, after James D. Garcia, a paramedic, was struck and injured at an accident scene on 28 January 1994, when attempting to assist a driver that had slid off of the road.

The South Carolina General Assembly passed the "move over law" (SC 56-5-1538) in 1996 and was revised in 2002 to increase the ease of enforcement and fines.

[9] Move over laws in some states (i.e., Mississippi, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Dakota) do not require drivers to change lanes.

Some observed move over laws are somewhat vague in the actions required of the driver (i.e., use due care not to collide, provide as much space as practical, etc.)

[15][16] On 1 October 2012, North Carolina's newly revised move over law, which was expanded to include utility and maintenance operations, went into effect.