Alaska laws dictate that you must either pull over or reduce your speed according to local conditions or otherwise told by a law enforcement official. Failure to do so could result in an infraction or a Class A misdemeanor on your record if there is an injury.

One of the many risks of being an emergency responder—aside from dealing with sometimes extraordinary situations–is being struck by a moving vehicle. Since the late 90s, many states have passed move-over laws to protect emergency responders like paramedics, firefighters, and law enforcement officials.

Every state except Washington D.C. has some form of a move over law, and it’s essential to keep up to date and be aware of your state’s laws.

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What are the move-over laws in Alaska?

In Alaska, you must move over to the nearest lane or slow down when approaching or being approached by emergency vehicles. Under

Alaska Statutes Title 28

, drivers must:

Vacate to the nearest lane for emergency services to gain access to the road

If unsafe or otherwise directed by a law enforcement official, slow down to a reasonable speed depending on traffic, road, or weather conditions

What is considered an emergency vehicle in Alaska?

An emergency vehicle in Alaska is considered any vehicle that has the authority to display active blue, red, and blinking amber lights. Here are some examples of some of the most common emergency vehicles in Alaska:

Patrol cars

Firefighter trucks

Ambulances

Tow trucks

Utility trucks

Other law enforcement cars.

Penalties for violating Alaska’s move over laws

If you fail to safely pull over or properly reduce your speed when driving near emergency vehicles, you’re violating the law. In Alaska, penalties for ignoring move over statutes include the following:

An infraction or citation may be put on your driving record

If a personal injury arises due to a violation of the move-over laws, you may be subject to a Class A misdemeanor, which will be placed on your driving record

If you fail to properly follow the laws and a severe injury or death occurs, you may also face additional civil or criminal charges depending on the severity of the violation.

It’s crucial that whenever you see an emergency vehicle with active blinking lights, you safely pull over or reduce speed and follow local law enforcement officers for any special instructions.

MORE:

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Can violating move-over laws raise your insurance?

Whenever you violate a traffic law, it will end up on your driving record and could impact your insurance rates. If it’s a one-time offense or a rare circumstance, you may not notice a significant difference. But make sure it doesn’t become a habit—the more violations you commit, the more consequences it can have.

Violations can lead to insurance providers deeming you a high-risk driver and you’ll be forced to pay higher car insurance premiums. A cleaner record, conversely, will net you the lowest premiums you’re eligible to enjoy.

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Why are there move over laws?

Move over laws were created to provide safe buffer zones for emergency responders when at the scene of an accident. The purpose of these laws is to prevent emergency responders from being injured or killed by oncoming traffic.

Move over laws gained traction in the early 2000s after a South Carolina emergency responder, James D. Garcia, was struck and injured by a moving vehicle while at the scene of an accident. Although Garcia was found at fault, Garcia has since advocated for protection for emergency responders.

Virtually every state has some form of move-over law requiring drivers to move significantly over or reduce their speed when near an active emergency scene. But accidents still happen. In 2021, 65 emergency responders were hit by moving vehicles.

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