CDOT and CSP urge drivers to slow down and move over when lights are flashing

Statewide - Saturday, Oct. 19, is National Move Over Day. Held on the third Saturday of each October, the day emphasizes the need for motorists to slow down and move over for emergency and maintenance vehicles. Every day, Colorado Department of Transportation maintainers and construction crews, law enforcement officers, emergency responders, and tow truck operators risk their lives to help keep Coloradans safe. One of the most dangerous parts of their job is stepping out of their vehicle and onto the side of the road, whether it is for a traffic stop, to assist a motorist, roadway repairs or to tend to a crash. Tragically, many have been killed in the line of duty. Most recently, CDOT lost two members of its family in Grand Junction as they were conducting roadside repairs.

In 2023, Colorado enhanced its Move Over law to provide greater protection for people and their vehicles on the side of the road. The law requires drivers to move over a lane whenever they encounter any stationary vehicle on a highway with its hazards or safety lights flashing — and if they can't move over, they must slow down to at least 20 mph below the posted speed limit.

National Move Over Day is dedicated to increasing awareness of the risks maintainers, emergency responders, and tow truck operators face while working along busy roadways. CDOT and the Colorado State Patrol encourage drivers to drop their distractions, move over, and slow down, not just on Saturday but every day. Being more mindful while driving and abiding by the law may just save a life.

“There is no reason for anyone who responds to crashes or repairs our roadways to lose their life,” said John Lorme, CDOT’s director of maintenance and operations. “Slowing down and moving over is a simple way to help protect CDOT workers, law enforcement, first responders and tow truck operators. These emergency, maintenance and construction personnel work in dangerous situations all the time, but drivers really increase that risk for them when they drive too fast, are distracted or under the influence and ignore flashing lights - behavior that is all against the law.”

“Last year, Colorado expanded the Move Over law to protect all stationary vehicles with flashing hazard lights on the side of the road and the people who occupy them,” explained Col. Matthew Packard, chief of the Colorado State Patrol. “It was always the right thing to do, but now every driver is included. If you fail to move over or slow down and are ticketed, this is a Class 2 misdemeanor traffic offense and includes a $150 fine and 3-point license violation.”

Slow Down Move Over Public Service Announcement

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