Colorado drivers must proceed carefully around stopped emergency vehicles. Not doing so can result in a $15 to $100 fine and three points on your record.

Written by Rob Shapiro

Reviewed by Jessica Barrett

Updated on Sep 6, 2023

Table of Contents

What are the move-over laws in Colorado?
Penalties for violating Colorado’s move-over laws
Can violating move-over laws raise your insurance?
Why are there move-over laws?

Under the state law of

Colorado

, if you fail to move over or slow down when passing a stopped emergency vehicle with flashing lights, you could receive a fine ranging from $15 to $100 (plus a surcharge) in addition to points being added to your

Colorado driver’s license

"I’m earning

awesome rewards

every week, just for driving safe!”

What are the move-over laws in Colorado?

The move-over law in Colorado requires that all drivers approaching stationary emergency vehicles must legally do the following according to Title 42. Vehicles and Traffic 42-4-705 and section 42-213 or 42-4-222:

Yield the right-of-way to emergency vehicles with flashing lights.

Immediately clear the farthest left-hand lane safely and lawfully, and drive to a position that is parallel to or as close as possible to the right-hand curb.

Stop and remain that way until the emergency vehicle has passed unless a police officer directs you to do otherwise.

Exhibit the proper care and caution when passing a stopped authorized emergency vehicle that is flashing blue, white, or red lights.

Reduce and maintain a safe speed when on a highway that does not have two adjacent lanes moving in the same direction if there is a stationary or slow-moving maintenance, repair, or construction vehicle.

Drive with caution if you are approaching or passing a vehicle where the tires are being equipped with chains on the side of the highway.

What is considered an emergency vehicle in Colorado?

The Colorado move-over laws apply to motor vehicles that flash red, white, or blue lights:

Ambulances

Patrol cars

Fire trucks

Tow trucks

Maintenance vehicles

Other law enforcement vehicles

Penalties for violating Colorado’s move-over laws

Failing to adhere to Colorado’s move-over laws could result in you being charged with a violation. You may face one or both of these penalties:

A fine between $15 and $100 plus a surcharge

Three points added to your driver’s license

If you cause an injury by failing to move over or slow down, you could face these much stiffer penalties:

A minimum sentence of six months in prison and/or a $500 fine

A maximum sentence of 18 months in prison and/or $5,000 in fines

If your violation results in death, you could receive one to two years in prison and/or a fine ranging from $100 to $1000.

MORE: How to get car insurance with a bad driving record

Can violating move-over laws raise your insurance?

Since a move-over violation in Colorado can tarnish your driving record and add points to your driver’s license, it can increase your

car insurance

rate.

Multiple violations or a certain number of points on your driver’s license can vault you into the hard-to-insure category. Drive carefully and with caution if you want to avoid paying too much for your car insurance. You may also be able to save by using a

car insurance comparison app

Jerry

to shop for a new policy—even with violations on your record.

“
Jerry
saved me $80 a month! I have a Tesla Model Y and really wanted to lower my rates. And they did! I really recommend you give this a shot!” —Nick M.

Why are there move-over laws?

Move-over laws were implemented to keep emergency responders safe and able to perform their essential duties. These laws protect them from being hit by passing vehicles while at the scene of an accident.

Many were calling for move-over laws in the United States in the early 2000s when South Carolina paramedic James D. Garcia was injured by a driver who was driving recklessly while gawking at the accident. Believe it or not, Garcia was found at fault for the accident! He has been lobbying for laws to protect emergency responders ever since.

By 2021, Garcia’s efforts paid off as every state now has a move-over law. There is still more work to be done, though, as according to the

Emergency Responder Safety Institute

, 44 emergency responders were killed after being struck by vehicles in 2019.