Emergency personnel, construction workers, law enforcement officers and citizens are killed every day across the country due to being hit when on the side of the road and out of their vehicles. These people are typically not just standing on the roadside to be standing there. They may be doing their job or reacting to their vehicle being disabled. Anytime you get out of your vehicle on an Indiana roadway, you become vulnerable, but sometimes there is no way to avoid it. The state has stepped in to try to help keep you safer if you find yourself in this situation.

Often called move over laws, laws requiring you to move over to the other lane when passing a stationary vehicle are common across the country. They are specifically designed to help keep people safe who are stopped on roadways.

According to the Kentucky Office of Highway Safety, though, the move over law in the state only applies to emergency vehicles. You are required to move to the other lane or greatly reduce your speed if you cannot move over when you see an emergency vehicle with lights in operation sitting on the side of the road. This includes any type of emergency vehicle with lights, including tow trucks and construction equipment.

It does not seem to apply to passenger vehicles, but it is still a good idea to follow the same guidelines when approaching a vehicle stopped on the side of the roadway. This information is for education and is not legal advice.