"Slow Down-Move Over Law"

One of the most dangerous environments that first responders operate in is that of the "freeway incident." Most Lakeside Firefighters at some point in their career will have a near-miss incident with a vehicle, and many have been struck by drivers while operating on emergency scenes. But California has in place a law that protects emergency workers on the freeway. It's commonly known as the "Slow Down - Move Over Law", technically it's known as 21809. This is a summary of that law:

Section 21809 reads: (a) A person driving a vehicle on a freeway approaching a stationary authorized emergency vehicle that is displaying emergency lights, a stationary tow truck that is displaying flashing amber warning lights, or a stationary marked Department of Transportation vehicle that is displaying flashing amber warning lights, shall approach with due caution and, before passing in a lane immediately adjacent to the authorized emergency vehicle, tow truck, or Department of Transportation vehicle, absent other direction by a peace officer, proceed to do one of the following:

1. Make a lane change into an available lane not immediately adjacent to the authorized emergency vehicle, tow truck, or Department of Transportation vehicle, with due regard for safety and traffic conditions, if practicable and not prohibited by law.

2. If the maneuver described in paragraph (1) would be unsafe or impracticable, slow to a reasonable and prudent speed that is safe for existing weather, road, and vehicular or pedestrian traffic conditions.

(B.) A violation of subdivision (a) is an infraction, punishable by a fine of not more than fifty dollars ($50).

(C.) The requirements of subdivision (a) do not apply if the stationary authorized emergency vehicle that is displaying emergency lights, the stationary tow truck that is displaying flashing amber warning lights, or the stationary marked Department of Transportation vehicle that is displaying flashing amber warning lights is not adjacent to the freeway or is separated from the freeway by a protective physical barrier.

Lakeside Fire "Rescue 3" and CHP operating in heavy traffic on Interstate 8

Please help us work in a safe environment....!

Submitted By: Captain Mark Grow, Lakeside Fire Protection District