West Virginia’s Move Over Law
West Virginia’s initial “move over” law started in 2003, and was just updated July 11th, 2025. When approaching a stationary vehicle with flashing light (towing, roadingside assistance, law enforcement, paramedics, or even citizen vehicles with hazard lights on) make a lane change. If you can’t safely move over a lane, you must slow down significantly. You should drive no more than 15 miles per hour on standard two-way roads and no more than 25 miles per hour on highways per the West Virginia legislature.
Stats
- On average, a tow truck operator is killed every 6 days.
- In 2021, 100% of West Virginia tow truck operators that responded to this survey said that drivers do not “slow down and move over a lane (when safe to do so) in order to give first responders stopped alongside the road more room to do their jobs safely.”
- 100% of those operators also responded that they’ve “been involved in a near-miss incident or felt your life threatened because a motorist failed to slow down.”
Who this Law Protects
Our Towing Operators: The men and women driving tow trucks. They risk their lives recovering your car, clearing accident scenes, delivering fuel etc. They face the constant threat of a roadside strike—the leading cause of death for towing professionals.
First Responders: Police officers, fire fighters, and paramedics who are essential to crash scene management and saving lives.
Highway and Utility Workers: Those maintaining our essential West Virginia infrastructure, from highway crews on I-77 to utility workers fixing power lines.
Stranded Motorists: You are also protecting the fellow citizens you might pass. The law now includes citizens with hazard lights on, recognizing the severe danger anyone faces when stopped on the side of a busy roadside.
Consequences
Legal – Failing to comply with the move over law is a serious matter, classified as a misdemeanor that can result in a fine of up to $500 and/or imprisonment in a county or regional jail for up to 60 days. The consequences become even more severe when a collision occurs: if the violation results in damage to property, the driver’s privileges are suspended for 90 days. If the violation causes injury to a person, the driver’s privileges shall be suspended for six months. Most tragically, if the violation leads to a death, the person responsible will lose their driving privileges for a full two years. The financial, legal, and personal costs of ignoring this law are simply not worth the risk.
Personal – The true cost of failing to move over is a devastating ripple effect that goes beyond fines and jail time: it is human loss. When a roadside professional is struck, it inflicts a permanent wound. This tragedy results in the irreplaceable loss for families, instantly taking a parent, a spouse, or a child away, and leaving a family forever marked by grief. Even for those who survive, there is lasting trauma.
Make the Right Decision
The move over law is not just a statute; it’s a shared responsibility to protect lives. The statistics are grim, the legal penalties are severe, and the human cost is permanent. Every day, our dedicated team at DTE Repair & Towing steps out into danger, trusting that you will see their flashing lights and give them room to work safely. Your decision to simply move over is an act of profound compassion—the single action you can take to ensure a family – a community – remains whole.
Need Roadside Help in the WV Area?
If you find yourself on the side of the road in need of assistance, trust the team that prioritizes safety. Call DTE Repair & Towing 24/7 for expert roadside service, towing, or auto repair serving the Oak Hill, Montgomery and surrounding areas.
