Move Over Law

Move Over for stopped emergency and utility vehicles

Alabama’s Move Over Law is something that all drivers in this state need to be aware of. It can be the difference in whether workers — like electric linemen — make it home safely to their families.

The law is simple: All drivers on 4-lane roads must move over one lane for stopped law enforcement, emergency, sanitation, utility service, and wrecker vehicles. If you can’t move over then you must slow to 15 miles per hour (mph) less than the posted speed limit.

On 2-lane roads, motorists are required to move over as far as possible without leaving the lane, as well as slow down to a speed at least 15 mph below the posted speed limit. If the posted speed limit is 20 mph or below, drivers should slow to 10 mph.

“Our crews work in potentially hazardous situations daily,” says Wiregrass Electric Cooperative Chief Operating Officer Brad Kimbro, “whether that is working on power lines or dealing with vehicles on roadways. This law helps keep our crews safe and makes sure they can go home safely to their families at night. Our cooperative supports this law, and we encourage all motorists to observe it and move over.”