Arkansas Move Over Laws
If you fail to move over when approaching emergency vehicles in Arkansas, you could be liable for hefty fees and a license suspension.
Written by Kevin Martinez
Reviewed by Jessica Barrett
In
Arkansas
, you’re required by law to reduce your speed when an emergency vehicle is approaching. Failure to do so could result in hefty fines, possible jail time, and even a license suspension.One of the leading causes of injuries or death among emergency responders is being struck by moving vehicles while attending to an accident. Since the early 2000s, many states have passed move over laws to protect emergency responders like police officers, firefighters, and paramedics.
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What are the move over laws in Arkansas?
Arkansas’ move over law dictates that you must either move out of the way of an emergency vehicle or reduce your speed if unsafe to pull over.
Under the Arkansas code 27-51-310, you must:
- Move over to the side of the road when passing an emergency vehicle with its blinking lights on
- If unsafe to pull over, reduce your speed until you pass the emergency vehicle and scene of the accident
What is considered an emergency vehicle in Arkansas?
In Arkansas, move over laws apply to emergency vehicles that display blinking blue, red, or amber lights. Here are some examples of some authorized emergency vehicles in Arkansas:
- Law enforcement vehicle
- Ambulances
- Fire trucks
- Utility trucks
- Tow trucks
Penalties for violating Arkansas’s move over laws
If you fail to move over or reduce your speed near an active emergency vehicle, you could be violating the law. In Arkansas, failure to follow the move over laws could result in the following:
- A misdemeanor charge with a $250 fine and no more than $1,000
- Depending on the severity, possible jail time of up to 90 days
- Up to 7 days of community service
If you are pulled over and a severe injury or death occurs, you could face jail time and
license suspension
for up to 6 months.Can violating move over laws raise your insurance?
Anytime you commit a traffic violation, it will likely end up on your driving record. Your driving record plays a crucial role in determining your
car insurance
rates.While a minor, one-time offense may not change much, multiple violations or one significant offense could label you a
high-risk driver
and increase your premiums significantly.If you have a
clean driving record
, you’ll enjoy some of the most affordable premiums available. But if not, you may need to consider shopping for auto insurance
using an app like Jerry
!Why are there move over laws?
Move over laws help create safe zones for emergency responders like law enforcement officers, paramedics, and firefighters. It helps protect them from severe injury or death when attending an accident site.
Currently, nearly every state has a form of move over law, though accidents still happen. In 2021,
65 emergency responders
were severely injured by oncoming traffic while at an accident site.“I signed up for a new policy withJerry’shelp, and I ended up saving $236 a month after my switch. Thank you, Jerry!” —Adelaide C.
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Reviewed on 5/28/2023
4.7
