What All Drivers Need to Know about Wisconsin’s Move Over Law

One of the most dangerous places to be is on the side of a busy road, highway, or interstate—especially if you need to get out of your vehicle for any reason. But many occupations require that workers do just that on a daily basis. Law enforcement officers, emergency responders, and road maintenance workers are all tasked with working close to traffic, often outside of their vehicles.

In response to the dangers that they face—and the high number of serious injuries and deaths they’ve suffered—Wisconsin has a “Move Over Law” that requires all drivers to change lanes when approaching stopped vehicles on the shoulder of the road.

All 50 states have some form of similar law.

Do I Need to Move Over for Any Vehicle?

In Wisconsin, motorists are required to move over a lane to give space when approaching a stopped vehicle with warning lights activated and flashing, including:

• Law enforcement vehicles
• Ambulances
• Fire trucks
• Tow trucks
• Utility vehicles
• Highway maintenance vehicles

This helps reduce the risk of a worker being struck by oncoming traffic that veers too close to the shoulder of the road.

The Importance of Move Over Laws

Move Over laws aren’t just traffic regulations—they’re lifelines for workers and stranded motorists. Data from the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety reveals that 42% of drivers who admit to ignoring these laws do so because they underestimate how dangerous it is to work or be stranded near moving traffic.

With over 1,600 people struck and killed on the side of the road since 2015, and the ever-growing problem of distracted driving, spreading awareness of and respecting Move Over laws is more important than ever.

How to Navigate Around Stopped Emergency Vehicles

When approaching a stopped emergency vehicle, you have two options depending on what’s safest:

• You can change lanes on a highway or interstate to put more space between your vehicle and the stopped vehicle.
• If there are no additional lanes, or traffic is too dense to safely change lanes, you can slow down while approaching the stopped emergency vehicle.

Failure to obey this law can result in three points on your driver’s license and a $249 fine. If violation of the law results in a crash, your driver’s license may be suspended.

If you injure or kill someone in a collision because you failed to move over, you could also be liable for an injury lawsuit or wrongful death claim.

It’s important to be aware of and to always follow all traffic laws, including the Move Over Law. But not all drivers are safety-conscious, and their negligence causes serious crashes. When that happens, our Appleton car accident lawyers are here to help.

If You Need Legal Help, Contact Our Team Today

Contact Brian Hodgkiss Injury Lawyers today if you or someone you love was hurt in a crash that wasn’t your fault.

Originally published June 17, 2021. Updated June 28, 2024.