A bill has advanced in the Kansas Legislature to expand the state’s “Move Over” law that requires drivers to move to a lane that is not adjacent to emergency vehicles on the shoulder of the road.  The law would be expanded to include disabled vehicles that are displaying hazard warning lights, road flares or other caution signals.

The bill was approved by the Senate Transportation Committee and it now goes to the full Senate.

The current law applies to law enforcement vehicles, tow trucks, utility vehicles and waste management trucks.  Senate Bill 142 would expand the law to cover all vehicles displaying hazard lights or warning signals.

AAA Kansas is supporting the bill, and it provided testimony during committee hearings.   AAA spokesman Shawn Steward said in a press release that “Adding motorists dealing with disabled vehicles to the law will provide drivers, as well as emergency personnel, who may be aiding them with additional protections when they are on the side of the road.”

In a AAA poll of almost 1,100 Kansas drivers, 85 percent said they would support expansion of the “Move Over” law.