Move Over or Slow Down

Overview

To inform motorists about the state law requiring that they provide a safety zone for law enforcement officers, highway maintenance crews and others who work on the side of roads within a few feet of fast moving traffic, the Wisconsin Department of Transportation has installed "Move Over Law" road signs.

According to state law, drivers must move over a lane if possible or slow down if changing lanes is not safe when encountering a law enforcement vehicle, ambulance, fire truck, tow truck, utility vehicle or highway construction vehicle that is stopped on the side of the road with its lights flashing.

Wisconsin State Statute

Wisconsin State Statute 346.072(1)(a) and (b) requires that motorists must:

• (a) Move the motor vehicle into a lane that is not the lane nearest the parked or standing vehicle or machinery and continue traveling in that lane until safely clear of the vehicle or machinery. This paragraph applies only if the roadway has at least two lanes for traffic proceeding in the direction of the approaching motor vehicle and if the approaching motor vehicle may change lanes safely and without interfering with any vehicular traffic.
• (b) Slow the motor vehicle, maintaining a safe speed for traffic conditions, and operate the motor vehicle at a reduced speed until completely past the vehicle or machinery. This paragraph applies only if the roadway has only one lane for traffic processing in the direction of the approaching motor vehicle or if the approaching motor vehicle may not change lanes safely and without interfering with any vehicular traffic.