Emergency Vehicles

Today, let’s discuss Emergency Vehicles on the side of the roadway. In many states, it is the law that you must move over and/or slow down when going past an emergency or construction vehicle on the side of the road. You can receive a ticket if you do not. I know in Illinois last summer, police officers were doing “Scott’s Law” enforcement. If a car did not pass/move over correctly, those officers radioed to another unit, giving them the information on the vehicle that didn’t pass correctly. That driver would receive a ticket. As a first responder who works accidents along the roadways, I have first-hand knowledge as to how dangerous it is. Just think about standing on the edge of the highway with traffic going 80
to 90 MPH just a few inches from you. Please keep in mind that when you see an emergency vehicle, there are people that are either inside those vehicles or working outside of them. These first responders all have families they want to return home, too. Please slow down and move over.

We have a policy in Leather & Lace MC about this subject:
For the purpose of this policy, an emergency vehicle is any police, fire, ambulance, tow truck or construction vehicle that has flashing lights and may be stopped along the edge of the roadway. When coming up on an emergency vehicle on the side of the road (along the lane you are traveling in) with its emergency /warning lights in operation, the pack should be moved to the next lane over, if possible.  If it is not possible to move to the next lane, the pack should be signaled into single file formation along the lane edge farthest away from the emergency vehicle, and slow down as they pass.  Once you are past the stopped emergency vehicle, you may then resume your previous formation and speed.

Here is more information on Scott’s Law and emergency vehicles:
https://www.driverdefenseteam.com/tickets/failure-to-yield-emergency-vehicle-scotts-law/