Emergency Vehicles and the Move Over Rule
C.R.S. 42-4-705 — pull right for a siren, move a lane away from a stopped one, or slow to 25 or 20 under
When an emergency vehicle approaches with its signals on, every driver yields, clears the farthest left lane where possible, pulls parallel to the right edge clear of any intersection, and stops until it passes.
Who handles this in Colorado: legal aid programs and the state offices, listed in the Colorado directory.
Approaching a stationary emergency vehicle, tow truck, utility vehicle with flashing lights, or any stopped vehicle showing hazard lights, a driver on a road with two lanes in that direction moves into a lane at least one lane away.
| Unable to change lanes, where the limit is | Presumed safe speed |
|---|---|
| Unable to change lanes, where the limit isLess than 45 miles per hour | Presumed safe speed25 miles per hour or less |
| Unable to change lanes, where the limit is45 miles per hour or more | Presumed safe speed20 miles per hour less than the limit |
Sources for this section (1)
- C.R.S. 42-4-705 — Operation of vehicle approached by emergency vehicle - operation of vehicle approaching stationary emergency vehicle, stationary towing carrier vehicle, or stationary public utility service vehicle
Legal information, not legal advice. Verified as of October 2026. Applying it to a particular situation is the work of a licensed Colorado attorney.