The Ted Foss Move Over Law is named after Minnesota State Patrol Trooper Ted Foss.  Cpl. Foss was conducting a traffic stop on the shoulder of Interstate 90, Aug. 31, 2000, when he was hit and killed by a passing vehicle. Foss left behind his wife and two young children.

Trooper Foss's story shows why it is important to move over for emergency vehicles. The law has since been updated and requires drivers to slow down and change lanes when approaching any vehicle with its hazard lights activated or if people are outside of the vehicle on or next to the street or highway. 

Drivers need to remember:

• When traveling on a road with two or more lanes going the same direction, you must move over one full lane from stopped “authorized” vehicles, stalled vehicles or disabled vehicles with their hazard lights activated. Authorized vehicles include ambulance, fire, law enforcement, road maintenance and construction vehicles.  
• In situations where it's not safe to move over (like heavy traffic), you must slow down.
• While we recommend people experiencing car trouble stay in their vehicle with their seat belt on, the law also calls on drivers to move over for people visibly present outside the vehicle.
• Failing to either change lanes or slow down endangers other drivers and emergency professionals and can leave you facing a fine of more than $100.

Read more about the law and how to keep yourself and others safe. 

Move over law education 

Move over law video