The Law

NRS 484B.607 Duties of driver when approaching authorized emergency vehicle which is stopped and using flashing lights or tow car which is stopped and using flashing amber warning lights; penalty.

1. Upon approaching an authorized emergency vehicle which is stopped and is making use of flashing lights meeting the requirements of subsection 3 of NRS 484A.480 or a tow car which is stopped and is making use of flashing amber warning lights meeting the requirements of NRS 484B.748, the driver of the approaching vehicle shall, in the absence of other direction given by a peace officer:

(a) Decrease the speed of the vehicle to a speed that is:

(1) Reasonable and proper, pursuant to the criteria set forth in subsection 1 of NRS 484B.600; and

(2) Less than the posted speed limit, if a speed limit has been posted;

(b) Proceed with caution;
(c) Be prepared to stop; and
(d) If possible, drive in a lane that is not adjacent to the lane in which the emergency vehicle or tow car is stopped, unless roadway, traffic, weather or other conditions make doing so unsafe or impossible.

2. A person who violates subsection 1 is guilty of a misdemeanor.

A driver who violates this law is facing a fine up to $395.00 and 4 points on their driver’s license. The consequences could even be more severe if you happen to hurt or even kill a Trooper/Officer.

Troopers wear bright colored safety vests and use emergency flashing lights on their patrol vehicles to warn oncoming traffic of possible hazards or road closures. We want our Troopers, as well as other agency’s Officers, here in southern Nevada to be as safe as possible. We want to make the motoring public aware of this law so they know what to do when approaching an emergency vehicle on the side of the road or even in the travel lane.

When law enforcement officers are parked on the side of the highway for a traffic stop or to assist a motorist, they are virtually defenseless and face the constant danger of being hit by speeding cars and trucks just a few feet or inches away. For the safety of law enforcement officers, as well as emergency responders and others who work on the side of highways, Nevada has a law requiring drivers to slow down and move over if possible when approaching “an authorized emergency vehicle which is stopped and is making use of flashing lights….” The law, Nevada Revised Statute 484.364, states that drivers must decrease their speed to what is reasonable and proper and less than any posted speed limit, proceed with caution, be prepared to stop, and drive in a lane “not adjacent to the lane in which the emergency vehicle is stopped” when safe and possible. Emergency vehicles include those of law enforcement, fire departments and public ambulance agencies.

“If the road has more than one directional lane, like a freeway or highway, and you can switch lanes safely, you must move over to vacate the lane closest to the law enforcement or other vehicle with its lights flashing,” Nevada Highway Patrol Chief Chris Perry says. “If the road has a single directional lane or you can’t safely move over, you must reduce your speed.”

The cost for violating the law can be expensive. It is a misdemeanor which is punishable by a fine of up to $1,000 and imprisonment in the county jail for up to 6 months. If you get a ticket, a fine will be assessed and you will be assessed demerit points on your license. In addition, your driver’s license may be suspended if you are involved in a crash, and you may serve time in prison if you hurt or kill someone.

“Our troopers and police officers who work on busy highways take every possible precaution to avoid being hit by vehicles,” says Chief Perry. “But we need help from every driver on the highway. When motorists obey the law and create a safety zone, they help reduce the dangers to themselves and to our officers.”