Question

Tennessee's move over law requires a motorist yield the lane closest to any vehicle with its flashing lights on that is stopped on the shoulder of any multilane highway with at least two lanes of traffic traveling in the same direction. This law applies to which of the following?

1) Stationary vehicles such as your pick up with its emergency flashers on
2) Both answers are correct
3) Wreckers, tow trucks, fire engines, ambulances, sanitation trucks and highway patrol vehicles.

Answer 1

Tennessee's move over law applies to all stationary vehicles with flashing lights on, including personal vehicles and various emergency and service vehicles. Motorists must either yield the lane closest to these vehicles or slow down and proceed with caution.

Step-by-step explanation:

Tennessee's move over law is designed to protect motorists, emergency responders, and roadside assistance vehicles by requiring drivers to yield the lane closest to any stationary vehicle with flashing lights on a multilane highway. This law applies to all types of vehicles that may be stopped on the shoulder, including personal vehicles like your pickup with emergency flashers on, as well as wreckers, tow trucks, fire engines, ambulances, sanitation trucks, and highway patrol vehicles. If it is impossible to move over safely, then the driver must slow down and proceed with due caution, allowing safe space for the stopped vehicle.

For instances involving emergency situations, like a vehicle with a pregnant woman in the backseat about to deliver, the ethical dilemma of obeying traffic laws vs. the urgency of the situation arises. While legally one must stop at a red light, the moral consideration of utility may suggest that proceeding could be the right choice in such unique circumstances, especially if there are no other cars around and it is 4 am, as the Rational Utilitarianism (RU) perspective would imply.