Colorado Move-Over Law

What Colorado requires

Colorado now covers every stopped vehicle with its hazards on, not just responders and tow trucks (CRS 42-4-705). Move over a lane, or slow to at least 20 under the limit if you can't. A violation is a Class 2 misdemeanor traffic offense, $150 to $300 and 4 points. Hurt someone and it jumps to a Class 1 misdemeanor with jail; cause a death and it is a felony.

Who you move over for, and the fallback

• Move over for: Emergency vehicles, tow/recovery vehicles, public utility service vehicles, and any stopped vehicle showing flashing hazard or warning lights.
• If you can't move over: Move over a lane if the road has room. If you can't, slow to at least 20 mph under the posted limit (where the limit is very low, drop to a safe, careful speed).
• HB23-1123 expanded the law to cover any disabled vehicle displaying hazard lights, not just responders, tow, and utility vehicles. That's why allVehicles is true.

What a violation costs

Class 2 misdemeanor traffic offense, charged as careless driving: $150 to $300 and 4 points. Cause injury and it becomes a Class 1 misdemeanor traffic offense (10 days to a year in jail, $300 to $1,000). Cause a death and it is a class 6 felony (CRS 42-4-705).

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