A 2-minute lesson from the Maryland course. Read the rules and examples, follow the handbook page references, and check your understanding before you move on.
Maryland's Move Over Law protects anyone stopped on the road with flashing lights: police, tow trucks, service vehicles, even a stranded motorist with hazards on. Change lanes if you can; slow down if you can't.
Know the rule
You must move over when approaching any vehicle that is stopped, standing, or parked on a road with its lights flashing.
For a stopped emergency vehicle, tow truck or service vehicle, move to a lane that is not immediately next to it; if you can't, slow down and be ready to stop.
On a two-lane-each-way highway, a car sits on the right shoulder with its hazards flashing. Move to the left lane if it's safe. If traffic blocks you, slow to a safe speed as you pass.
Check your understanding
Read the question, decide on an answer, then open it to check the explanation. These are Roadwise study questions based on the source handbook.
What must you do when approaching a vehicle stopped on the road with its lights flashing?
Maintain your current lane and speed
Move over, or slow down if you can't
Speed up to pass it quickly
Stop completely in your lane
Answer: Move over, or slow down if you can't
You must move over when approaching a stopped, standing, or parked vehicle with its lights flashing, or slow down if you cannot move over.
Violating Maryland's Move Over Law is only a civil infraction, not a misdemeanor.
True
False
Answer: False
False. Violating the Move Over Law is a misdemeanor, with penalties from a $110 fine and one point up to a $750 fine and three points if there is a death or serious injury.