Rules of the Road: The correct way to drive near emergency vehicles

Question: I know there’s a law about slowing down and moving over for emergency vehicles, but can you explain what that means?

Do I slow down and move over, or is it one or the other? And what constitutes an emergency vehicle? Is it just the ones that come when you call 911 or anything with flashing lights on top? Help me out here.

Answer: The “Slow Down, Move Over” law is one of those rules that seems clear just from the name, but when you actually think about it, you realize it’s not as obvious as you first thought.

The law in the Revised Code of Washington is titled (in part) “Emergency or work zones,” so let’s start by defining that. An emergency or work zone is the area 200 feet before and after an emergency or work vehicle. Easy enough. 

But what is an emergency or work vehicle? The law includes any of these vehicles when their warning lights are activated: stationary authorized emergency vehicles (we’ll come back to that one), tow trucks, other vehicles providing roadside assistance, police vehicles, highway maintenance and service equipment, snow removal equipment, and stationary or slow moving highway construction vehicles, highway maintenance vehicles, solid waste vehicles and utility service vehicles. 

If that list isn’t extensive enough for you, let’s define authorized emergency vehicles. It includes any vehicle of a fire department, police department, sheriff’s office, coroner, prosecuting attorney, Washington State Patrol, and public or private ambulance service. Rather than memorize the list just figure that, like you suggested, if it’s got flashing lights on top it’s a good bet that it’s included.

When you approach an emergency or work zone the required action depends on the size of the road. On highways with four or more lanes (two in each direction) move to the lane away from the emergency or work vehicle unless it’s unsafe to do so. On roads with less than four lanes slow down, and if you can, move left (which might not be possible due to oncoming traffic.) 

In both situations the law states that if changing lanes would be unsafe, drivers shall reduce vehicle speed by at least 10 mph below the speed limit and proceed with caution. (Caution should be the default mode for driving, so it’s a good reminder.)

That’s what the law requires, but as I’ve mentioned before, the law provides the bare minimum requirements. It’s a good starting point, but we can do better. 

In the context of this law, consider the 200-foot requirement. If my math is right, it takes two seconds to cover 200 feet at freeway speeds. That’s not a lot of time. 

If you’re scanning the road 10-15 seconds ahead like your driving instructor taught you, you can start taking appropriate action well before the required 200 feet. Plus, how many of us are actually any good at estimating 200 feet?

While not required by law, consider doing the same for disabled vehicles too. Someone who’s just had a tire blow out likely does not have the same situational awareness as professional roadside responders doing high-risk work. They might be focused on their immediate dilemma and forget to check for traffic as they’re getting out of their car to find their spare. 

As a general driving principle, it’s a good idea to create as much space as you can between you and anything or anyone you could hit, and that’s what the move over law does. I hope I’ve helped you out, and let’s all pay it forward by helping out our roadside responders with slower speeds and extra room.

Doug Dahl is a manager with the Washington Traffic Safety Commission, Region 11 and publishes TheWiseDrive.com.