, failure to reduce speed and move over when an emergency vehicle with flashing lights is approaching could result in a fine of $25 for the first offense and up to $100 for a third offense.

One of the leading causes of death for many emergency responders is being struck by a moving vehicle at an accident site. Since the mid-to-late 90s, many states have begun to create laws to protect emergency responders such as paramedics, law enforcement, firefighters, and more.

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What are the move-over laws in Alabama?

Alabama’s move-over laws require drivers to reduce speed and move over when approaching an emergency vehicle with their emergency signals. Under the

Alabama Move Over Act

(Section 32-5A-58.2), you must:

Move out of the lane closest to the emergency vehicle as possible

If it is not safe to do so, reduce your speed by at least 15 mph less than the posted speed limit unless a law enforcement officer tells you otherwise

MORE:

Alabama car accident laws

What is considered an emergency vehicle in Alabama?

In Alabama, the move over act applies to all emergency vehicles which display red, blue, and amber lights. This includes the following vehicles:

Ambulances

Patrol cars

Utility vehicles

Tow trucks

Fire trucks

Other law enforcement vehicles

Penalties for violating Alabama’s move over laws

Failure to reduce speed and pull over for an emergency vehicle could result in a violation of the Alabama move over law. As a result, penalties for violating these laws include:

$25 fine for your first offense

$50 fine for your second offense

$100 fine for third and subsequent offenses

Suppose you are pulled over or your failure to move over caused severe injury or death to an individual. In that case, you may be subject to additional offenses, including civil and criminal charges.

Whenever you see an emergency vehicle with blinking lights, be sure to move over or slow down to avoid any fines.

MORE:

How do driver violation points affect your insurance rates?

Can violating move-over laws raise your insurance?

Whenever you commit a violation, it gets added to your

driving record

—ultimately affecting your insurance rates. If it’s a one-time offense, you may not notice much of a difference. But if it's a subsequent, it may be a different story.

Insurance companies use what’s on your driving record to determine your rates and policy. If you have multiple violations on your record, you may be deemed a

high-risk driver

and you’ll notice a spike in your insurance rates.

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and the fantastic app saved me $130 a month on my insurance.” —Jett A.

MORE: How long does a speeding ticket stay on your record?

Why are there move over laws?

Move over laws require drivers to create safe zones for emergency vehicles and responders, including police officers, firefighters, and paramedics. The purpose of these laws is to protect emergency responders from being injured or struck by moving vehicles while at an accident site.

One of the first instances of a move over law in the United States was passed in the early 2000s when a South Carolina paramedic, James D. Garcia, was struck and injured by a moving vehicle at the site of an accident. Although Garcia was found at fault, he continues to fight for the passage of laws that protect emergency responders.

Currently, almost every state has some form of a move-over law that requires drivers to drive with caution when passing near active emergencies. This doesn’t mean that accidents don’t occur, though. In 2021, 65 emergency responders were hit by moving vehicles.