Most reliable auto repair shops take pride in fixing your vehicle. And when you can find one that does, well, that’s great. But some auto repair shops go above and beyond servicing your vehicle and also take pride in promoting safety and driving laws on the road. Here in Arizona, just 6 years ago, there was a new law set in place to protect not only the average driver, but police officers and other emergency personnel whose lives were at stake from dangerous driving conditions when they were doing their job serving the public.

The “Move Over” law, as it is referred to, was a response to an increase in injuries and fatalities as a result of accidents and unsafe driving conditions to those emergency vehicles on the road and parked to the side. The new law (ARS §28-775E-1-2) states that drivers must merge to the lane over on highways with two or more lanes proceeding in the same direction when police or emergency personnel are stopped near the road. The law is flexible in that it recognizes that it is not always possible for a driver to move over a lane or if the lane does not exist. But the goal is to increase that safety distance with reduced speeds and for drivers to proceed by with extreme caution. This will in turn decrease the chance of a deadly collision.

According to the Arizona Department of Public Safety, the shortened written law states that “if a person driving a vehicle approaches a stationary, authorized emergency vehicle… giving a signal…displaying alternately flashing red, red and blue, the person shall do one of the following: If on a highway having at least 2 lanes proceeding in the same direction as the approaching vehicle, proceed with due caution and if possible, with due regard to safety and traffic conditions, yield the right of way by making a lane change into a lane not adjacent to that of the emergency vehicle. If changing lanes would be impossible or unsafe proceed with due caution and reduce speed, maintaining a safe speed for road conditions.”

The O’Steen and Harrison law firm also explains some other driving laws when it comes to emergency vehicles in clear, precise language. For example, drivers in Arizona are required to yield the right of way to all emergency vehicles with illuminated red or red and blue lights and sounding a siren, whistle or bell. When an emergency vehicle approaches, you are required to immediately pull as far right on the road as possible and stop your car parallel to the curb or edge of the road. “You must remain stopped until the emergency vehicle passes, unless a police officer directs otherwise. Also, it is a violation of the law to stop your car in an intersection. You must clear all intersections before coming to a stop. The law creates a separate violation for those who follow too close behind fire trucks with lights and sirens on. You are required to remain at least 500 feet behind a working fire truck. Furthermore, you also may not drive into the block where a fire truck has stopped in answer to a fire alarm.”

Follow the rules and help the emergency personnel trying to respond to a disaster or a crisis. Their response to these urgent situations is essential and we should respect and conserve the life of these fellow citizens. They work to keep us drivers safe on the roads and we should give them the same. Know the laws, and know your driving limits. Always be aware of the traffic and vehicles around you and know what you would do in a situation. Reduce speed and increase caution when driving by or near an emergency situation and if the emergency vehicle is driving, whether at you or behind you, pull over and let them go by. After all, wouldn’t you want someone to do that for them if it was your vehicle or family in the urgent situation they were trying to get to?