SANTA FE – Saturday, October 16, is National Move Over Day, designated to remind drivers when approaching emergency vehicles with flashing lights to change lanes or slow down. This allows for a degree of separation between moving vehicles and emergency responders or disabled motorists. 

Emergency vehicles include highway patrol, police, sheriff, fire, coroner/medical examiner, ambulance, tow, transportation, utility, corrections, National Guard, and others that carry equipment to save lives at crash sites or incidents, such as those involving a hazardous substance. Every day, these first responders serve the public and often do so in the middle or on the side of the road. They must have room to work.

“Emergency personnel can only do so much to keep themselves safe when they pull over on the side of the road,” said Transportation Secretary Mike Sandoval. “The rest of the responsibility falls on other motorists. Many drivers seem to think moving over is just an optional courtesy. It’s not optional. If possible, always Move Over. It’s the Law.”  

The Move Over Law is enforced in all 50 states. Drivers who do not comply with the Move Over law in New Mexico could face a $117 fine.