The move over law and traffic stops

Key points

1. Move over laws require you to slow down and change lanes when approaching a roadside incident.

   Source: Handbook p. 64

   “move-over laws have been enacted, which require drivers to slow and change lanes when approaching a roadside incident.”
   Kentucky Driver Manual, Handbook p. 64

2. For an emergency vehicle stopped on the roadside, slow down and move to a lane not next to it if safe.

   Source: Handbook p. 65

   “When approaching an authorized emergency vehicle stopped on the roadside, you should proceed with caution by slowing and yielding the right-of-way by making a lane change into a lane not next to that of the authorized emergency vehicle if safety and traffic conditions permit.”
   Kentucky Driver Manual, Handbook p. 65

3. If a lane change is unsafe, slow down and proceed with caution.

   Source: Handbook p. 65

   “If a lane change is unsafe, slow down and proceed with caution while maintaining a safe speed for traffic conditions.”
   Kentucky Driver Manual, Handbook p. 65

4. On four-lane highways, approach slowly and move into the left lane if it is safe.

   Source: Handbook p. 65

   “Approach slowly and move into the left lane on four-lane highways if it is safe to do so.”
   Kentucky Driver Manual, Handbook p. 65

5. On two-lane highways, approach slowly and pass with caution.

   Source: Handbook p. 65

   “On two-lane highways, approach slowly and pass with caution.”
   Kentucky Driver Manual, Handbook p. 65

6. When police signal you to pull over, stay calm and do not stop abruptly in a travel lane.

   Source: Handbook p. 64

   “Stay calm if this occurs, and do not bring your vehicle to an abrupt stop on the travel portion of the roadway.”
   Kentucky Driver Manual, Handbook p. 64

7. Keep your safety belt fastened during a stop, and ask passengers to do the same.

   Source: Handbook p. 64

   “Remain calm and keep your safety belt fastened. Ask your passenger(s) to do so as well.”
   Kentucky Driver Manual, Handbook p. 64

8. Never run from police. Many fatal crashes happen in police chases.

   Source: Handbook p. 64

   “Never try to run from law enforcement. It is very dangerous, and many fatal crashes occur from police chases.”
   Kentucky Driver Manual, Handbook p. 64

Numbers to know

3 questions from the Kentucky practice test

1. 1. When approaching an authorized emergency vehicle stopped on the roadside, what lane change should you make if conditions permit?

   1. Stop in the lane next to the emergency vehicle
   2. Move onto the shoulder beside the emergency vehicle
   3. Change into a lane that is not next to the emergency vehicle
   4. Pass without changing lanes if your speed is low
   Show answer

   Change into a lane that is not next to the emergency vehicle. Kentucky drivers should slow and yield by changing into a lane that is not next to the stopped authorized emergency vehicle whenever safety and traffic conditions permit. The shoulder is not a substitute lane and may be where responders or equipment are working. Remaining beside the vehicle exposes people to passing traffic. If a lane change would be unsafe, slow down and continue cautiously at a safe speed for conditions. Look early, signal, and create lateral space.

2. 2. If changing lanes around a stopped emergency vehicle is unsafe, how should you proceed?

   1. Keep the posted speed and pass close to the vehicle
   2. Slow down and continue cautiously at a safe speed for conditions
   3. Stop beside the emergency vehicle until traffic disappears
   4. Use the shoulder to avoid the lane beside the vehicle
   Show answer

   Slow down and continue cautiously at a safe speed for conditions. The manual gives a fallback when traffic or safety conditions prevent a lane change: slow down and proceed with caution while maintaining a safe speed for the conditions. Keeping the posted speed may still be too fast near responders. Stopping beside the vehicle can obstruct the scene, and the shoulder may contain personnel or equipment. The key driving cue is to evaluate the lane change first, then reduce speed and pass with ample care when moving over cannot be done safely.

3. 3. On a four-lane highway, what should a driver do when approaching an emergency vehicle stopped on the shoulder?

   1. Turn around before reaching the stopped vehicle
   2. Stop in the left lane beside the emergency vehicle
   3. Accelerate in the right lane to pass quickly
   4. Approach slowly and move into the left lane if it is safe
   Show answer

   Approach slowly and move into the left lane if it is safe. Kentucky advises drivers approaching a stopped emergency vehicle on a four-lane highway to approach slowly and move into the left lane when it is safe to do so. Stopping beside the emergency vehicle blocks traffic and places the driver near roadside personnel. Accelerating reduces the space and time available, while turning around is not the required response. Check mirrors and traffic before changing lanes, then pass with caution. If the move is not safe, reduce speed and maintain a safe path instead of forcing the lane change.

Source: the Kentucky Driver Manual, Section Ten: Sharing the Road. 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.