What is the purpose of the "Move Over" law in Arizona?

The purpose of the "Move Over" law in Arizona is to protect emergency vehicles and personnel who are working on the roadside. This law requires drivers to either change lanes away from a parked emergency vehicle that has its lights flashing or to slow down if changing lanes is not possible. The rationale behind this legislation is to enhance the safety of emergency responders, including police officers, firefighters, and paramedics, who may be exposed to the dangers of passing traffic while they are attending to incidents or assisting stranded motorists.

Given the critical nature of emergency responses, the law aims to minimize the risk of accidents and injuries that could occur if drivers were to pass closely by these vehicles without taking appropriate precautions. In contexts where changing lanes isn’t feasible, reducing speed allows for greater time to react and decreases the likelihood of collisions. This helps ensure that emergency personnel can do their jobs safely and effectively without the added danger of oncoming traffic.