Emergency vehicles and the Move Over law

Key points

1. For an approaching emergency vehicle with flashing red or blue lights, slow, pull to the right edge clear of intersections and stop.

   Source: Handbook p. 64

   “the driver of every vehicle proceeding in any direction shall yield the right-of-way by slowing and pulling to the righthand edge of the roadway, clear of an intersection and stopping, to await passage of the emergency vehicle.”
   Alaska Driver Manual, Handbook p. 64

2. If you cannot move to another lane away from a responding emergency vehicle, slow down and drive safely around the scene.

   Source: Handbook p. 64

   “If moving to another lane is not possible, or there is only one lane in the direction you are traveling, slow down to a reasonable speed and drive safely around the scene.”
   Alaska Driver Manual, Handbook p. 64

3. On a four lane road, move to the lane opposite a stopped emergency vehicle or tow truck with flashing lights if safe.

   Source: Handbook p. 64

   “When encountering stationary emergency vehicles or tow trucks with overhead flashing lights on a four-lane road, drivers must pull to the lane opposite the emergency vehicle/tow truck if it is safe to do so.”
   Alaska Driver Manual, Handbook p. 64

4. On a two lane road, or if moving over is unsafe, slow to a reasonable and prudent speed when passing.

   Source: Handbook p. 64

   “If it is not safe to do so, or you are on a two-lane road, you must slow to a reasonable and prudent speed when passing.”
   Alaska Driver Manual, Handbook p. 64

5. Do not follow an emergency vehicle closer than 500 feet.

   Source: Handbook p. 64

   “A vehicle may not follow an emergency vehicle traveling in response to an emergency closer than 500 feet.”
   Alaska Driver Manual, Handbook p. 64

6. Do not park within 500 feet of stopped fire apparatus with flashing lights.

   Source: Handbook p. 64

   “Do not park a vehicle within 500 feet where fire apparatus has stopped and displays flashing red and/or blue lights.”
   Alaska Driver Manual, Handbook p. 64

7. Driving over a fire hose can endanger rescue workers and brings a $100 fine and 2 points.

   Source: Handbook p. 65

   “Damage or injury could occur to you, your vehicle or endanger the lives of rescue workers. 13 AAC 02.520 (c) $100 fine, 2 pts.”
   Alaska Driver Manual, Handbook p. 65

8. If you carry a concealed deadly weapon during a stop, tell the officer immediately.

   Source: Handbook p. 65

   “If you are contacted by an officer and you have a deadly weapon concealed on your person, you must notify the officer immediately.”
   Alaska Driver Manual, Handbook p. 65

9. When pulled over, signal immediately and pull right as soon as it is safe.

   Source: Handbook p. 65

   “If you are being pulled over, signal immediately to show the officer your intentions and pull over to the right as soon as it is safe to do so”
   Alaska Driver Manual, Handbook p. 65

Numbers to know

3 questions from the Alaska practice test

1. 1. When an authorized emergency vehicle approaches with flashing red or blue lights, where should a driver stop?

   1. At the left edge of the roadway
   2. In the middle of the intersection
   3. At the right hand edge, clear of an intersection
   4. On the shoulder only if the siren is operating
   Show answer

   At the right hand edge, clear of an intersection. The driver must yield by slowing, moving to the right hand edge of the roadway, clearing the intersection, and stopping for the emergency vehicle. The siren does not have to be operating when the authorized vehicle displays the specified flashing lights. Stopping in an intersection can obstruct the response, and moving left contradicts the stated direction. The shoulder only choice is too narrow because the rule identifies the right edge and a clear intersection, whether or not a usable shoulder exists.

2. 2. How much following distance is prohibited behind an emergency vehicle responding to an emergency?

   1. Closer than 100 feet
   2. Closer than 500 feet
   3. Closer than 250 feet
   4. Closer than 1,000 feet
   Show answer

   Closer than 500 feet. A vehicle may not follow an emergency vehicle responding to an emergency closer than 500 feet. The rule is about following distance, not about stopping beside an emergency scene or matching the emergency vehicle's speed. The 100, 250, and 1,000 foot figures are distractors that change the statutory spacing. A separate instruction also prohibits parking within 500 feet of fire apparatus stopped with flashing red or blue lights. Notice whether the question describes following or parking, since both protections use the same distance but different actions.

3. 3. On a four lane road, what should you do when passing a stationary emergency vehicle with overhead flashing lights?

   1. Pass in the lane closest to it at the posted speed
   2. Use the lane opposite the emergency vehicle if safe
   3. Stop in the travel lane until the lights turn off
   4. Turn around before reaching the scene
   Show answer

   Use the lane opposite the emergency vehicle if safe. On a four lane road, drivers must move to the lane opposite a stationary emergency vehicle or tow truck when that movement is safe. Remaining beside the vehicle leaves responders exposed and ignores the move over requirement. A complete stop is not the default instruction, and turning around is unnecessary. If changing lanes is unsafe, the manual directs a reasonable and prudent speed when passing. First identify whether the road has four lanes, then decide between moving away and slowing safely.

Source: the Alaska Driver Manual, Night Driving, Weather and Emergencies. This lesson is a plain English summary, not the law itself; where it differs, the manual and the statute govern. Last checked 2026-09-27.