Tennessee 4-Hour Defensive Driving Practice Test

The primary purpose of the Move Over law is to protect emergency responders working on the roadside. This law requires drivers to either change lanes away from emergency vehicles that are stopped on the side of the road, with lights flashing, or to slow down if changing lanes is not possible.

The intent behind this law is to enhance the safety of law enforcement officers, paramedics, tow truck drivers, and other emergency personnel who are often vulnerable to traffic accidents while attending to incidents on the road. By mandating that drivers take specific actions in the presence of emergency vehicles, the law aims to reduce the risk of accidents and ensure that these responders can perform their duties without the added danger of passing traffic.

This focus on safety for those at risk while performing critical roles distinguishes this law from other traffic regulations that may deal with speeding fines, lane changes, or traffic flow improvements, which do not specifically address the safety of emergency responders.