Moving Over for a Stopped Emergency Vehicle
HRS 291C-27 — slow down and change lanes, or leave a lane between, and tow trucks count
A driver approaching an emergency vehicle stopped with its emergency lights flashing, whether for an emergency, a traffic stop, assisting an officer or other official duties, slows to a reasonable and prudent speed for the road situation ahead, and changes into the adjacent lane where necessary and safe, or if possible two lanes over, leaving one lane between.
Who handles this in Hawaii: Hawaii State Bar Association, Lawyer Referral and Information Service; and legal aid programs and the state offices, listed in the Hawaii directory.
- Reasonable and prudent takes account of weather, the road, and the traffic and pedestrians nearby, and if necessary the driver comes to a complete stop before changing lanes.
- The emergency vehicles covered include police, fire, ocean safety, emergency medical services, freeway service patrol, sheriff and emergency management vehicles, and a tow truck.
Where no one is killed or injured, failing to slow and move over is a violation. Where a death or injury is attributable to the driver's failure, the driver is charged instead with negligent homicide or negligent injury, as fits.
Sources for this section (1)
- HRS 291C-27 — Emergency vehicle stopped for emergencies; duty of approaching vehicle
Legal information, not legal advice. Verified as of October 2026. Applying it to a particular situation is the work of a licensed Hawaii attorney.