What the Move Over Law Means for You

Enacted in 2001, the Minnesota Ted Foss Move Over Law was named after a state patrol trooper who was killed in 2000 while on the shoulder of Interstate-90 in Winona. The law states that when traveling on a road with two or more lanes, drivers must move over one full lane away from stopped emergency vehicles that have their flashing lights activated. If you are unable to safely move over to the next lane, you must reduce speed until fully past the stopped vehicle and personnel.

While the Minnesota law only specifies emergency vehicles with flashing lights activated—including ambulance, fire, law enforcement, towing and recovery, utility, road maintenance, and construction vehicles—it is still common courtesy to slow down and move over for any vehicle stopped at the side of the road. These safety precautions are important year-round but become even more imperative when weather and visibility conditions worsen, such as during the winter, at night or during a storm.

Disregarding these actions endangers personnel who provide critical and life-saving services. Failure to comply can also be accompanied by fines, which can exceed $100 plus fees. Help us keep our heroes and members safe on the roadways. Move over and slow down for all stopped vehicles, whether they have flashing lights or not.