Learn About The Law
Get help with your legal needs
FindLaw’s Learn About the Law features thousands of informational articles to help you understand your options. And if you’re ready to hire an attorney, find one in your area who can help.
Current as of January 01, 2025 | Updated by Findlaw Staff
(a) For the purpose of this section, “emergency vehicle” means any vehicle with activated flashing lights (1) operated by a member of an emergency medical service organization responding to an emergency call, (2) operated by a fire department or by any officer of a fire department responding to a fire or other emergency, (3) operated by a police officer, (4) that is a maintenance vehicle, as defined in section 14-1, or (5) that is a wrecker, as defined in section 14-1, “police officer” has the meaning set forth in section 7-294a, and “highway” has the meaning set forth in section 14-1, provided such highway has two or more travel lanes that proceed in the same direction.
(b)(1) Any operator of a motor vehicle on a highway when approaching one or more emergency vehicles that are stationary or traveling significantly below the posted speed limit and located on the shoulder, lane or breakdown lane of such highway shall (A) immediately reduce speed to a reasonable level below the posted speed limit, and (B) if traveling in the lane adjacent to the shoulder, lane or breakdown lane containing such emergency vehicle, move such motor vehicle over one lane, unless such movement would be unreasonable or unsafe.
(2) Any operator of a motor vehicle on a road that provides for two lanes of undivided traffic proceeding in the opposite direction when approaching one or more emergency vehicles that are stationary or traveling significantly below the posted speed limit and located on the shoulder, lane or breakdown lane of such road shall immediately reduce speed to a reasonable level below the posted speed limit until safely clear of the emergency vehicle.
(c) Any operator of a motor vehicle on a highway when approaching one or more nonemergency vehicles that are stationary and located on the shoulder, lane or breakdown lane of such highway shall, if traveling in the lane adjacent to the shoulder, lane or breakdown lane containing such nonemergency vehicle, move such motor vehicle over one lane, unless such movement would be unreasonable or unsafe.
(d)(1) Any person who violates the provisions of subsection (b) of this section shall have committed an infraction, except that if such violation results in the injury of the operator or any occupant of an emergency vehicle, such person shall be fined not more than two thousand five hundred dollars and, if such violation results in the death of the operator or any occupant of an emergency vehicle, such person shall be fined not more than ten thousand dollars.
(2) Any person who violates the provisions of subsection (c) of this section shall have committed an infraction.
Cite this article: FindLaw.com - Connecticut General Statutes Title 14. Motor Vehicles. Use of the Highway by Vehicles. Gasoline § 14-283b. Motor vehicle operator required to move over or reduce speed when approaching emergency vehicle that is stationary or traveling significantly below speed limit and nonemergency vehicle that is stationary and located on shoulder - last updated January 01, 2025 | https://codes.findlaw.com/ct/title-14-motor-vehicles-use-of-the-highway-by-vehicles-gasoline/ct-gen-st-sect-14-283b/
FindLaw Codes may not reflect the most recent version of the law in your jurisdiction. Please verify the status of the code you are researching with the state legislature before relying on it for your legal needs.
A free source of state and federal court opinions, state laws, and the United States Code. For more information about the legal concepts addressed by these cases and statutes, visit FindLaw’s Learn About the Law.
Get help with your legal needs
FindLaw’s Learn About the Law features thousands of informational articles to help you understand your options. And if you’re ready to hire an attorney, find one in your area who can help.
Search our directory by legal issue
Enter information in one or both fields (Required)