The Law

TITLE 47 § 11-314. Passing Stationary Emergency Vehicles

A.   The driver of a motor vehicle, upon approaching a stationary authorized emergency vehicle or a licensed Class AA wrecker that is displaying a flashing combination red or blue light or any combination of red or blue lights, shall:

1.    If traveling on a highway that consists of two or more lanes that carry traffic in the same direction of travel as that of the driver, the driver shall proceed with due caution and shall, if possible and with due regard to the road, weather, and traffic conditions, change lanes into a lane that is not adjacent to the stationary authorized emergency vehicle or licensed Class AA wrecker, or if the driver is not able to change lanes or if to do so would be unsafe, the driver shall proceed with due caution and reduce the speed of the motor vehicle to a safe speed for the existing road, weather, and traffic conditions; and

2.    If traveling on a highway other than a highway described in paragraph 1 of this subsection, the driver shall proceed with due caution and reduce the speed of the motor vehicle to a safe speed for the existing road, weather, and traffic conditions.

B.   This section does not relieve the operator of a stationary authorized emergency vehicle or licensed Class AA wrecker from the consequences of reckless disregard for the safety of all persons and property upon the highway.

 

Oklahoma Highway Patrol Urges Drivers to Move Over, Slow Down for Tow Trucks

A provision of the state’s Move Over Law, which took effect 2008, requires motorists to either change lanes or slow down when passing wreckers or tow trucks working on the shoulder of the road with their lights flashing. Failing to do so can result in a $206.50 fine, said Lt. George Brown, Oklahoma Highway Patrol spokesman.

This latest provision to the Move Over Law was passed by the Legislature last session. The move is meant to protect wreckers working on the shoulder of the road.

Oklahoma has had a Move Over Law since 2002. That law requires motorists to change lanes if a law enforcement vehicle is on the shoulder of the road with its lights flashing. In 2007, the patrol issued 387 citations to motorists who improperly passed vehicles working on the shoulder of the road, according to records.

The new law will save lives, said Chris Puckett, president of the Oklahoma Wrecker Owners Association.

"The objective is to keep control of the vehicle and not hit the wrecker or the car being towed,” Puckett said. "We just want everybody to go home at night.”

Nationally, 168 wrecker operators are killed each year, Puckett said.

"We’re hoping people will see the flashing lights and it will make them more aware, more cautious,” Puckett said.