West Virginia’s New “Pullover” Law (Effective July 11, 2025)
Why It Matters
Law enforcement and first responders already face enough danger every time they step out of their vehicle. Whether it’s a crash scene, a stranded driver, or a routine traffic stop, their focus should be on helping people—not worrying about the next car flying past just feet away. Unfortunately, too many drivers aren’t paying attention, and that puts lives at risk.
That’s exactly why West Virginia has updated its Pullover / Slow Down Move Over Law, taking effect July 12, 2025. The change is meant to not only protect those who protect us but now requires drivers to move over for motorists stranded on the side of the road. The expanded law makes clear what’s expected of drivers when they approach stopped vehicles with flashing lights.
Move Over and Slow Down – Don’t Make it Deadly
Picture this: You’re driving east on I-70, and up ahead, you see flashing lights. It could be a police officer, a tow truck assisting a stranded driver, emergency personnel responding to an accident, or a motorist with a flat tire. There’s hardly enough room for the stopped vehicles on the shoulder of the road, and cars are flying by at 70 miles per hour—not even slowing down. This creates a very dangerous situation for people on the side of the interstate.
This is the reality that law enforcement, first responders, and stranded motorist face every day. One moment of distraction, one careless decision, and someone doesn’t get to go home to their family. AAA notes between 2017 and 2021, there were 1,900 reported incidents where people were injured or killed while outside of their vehicle on the side of the road. In 2024, the FBI cited that traffic crashes were the number one cause of death for police officers. On average, 24 emergency responders, including tow drivers, are struck and killed every year – equating to one fatality every two weeks. This is exactly why West Virginia’s pullover law is so critical.
What the Law Now Requires
1. Move Over: If the road has two lanes in your direction and you can safely change lanes away from any stopped vehicle with flashing or hazard lights or nearby flares or reflective warning signs—do it.
2. Slow Way Down: If a lane change isn’t possible, slow to a minimum of 15 mph on undivided roads or 25 mph on divided highways while passing the scene.
What are the Penalties for Breaking the Law
• Up to $500 fine and/or 60 days in jail—even on a first offense.
• License suspended 90 days if property is damaged, 6 months for injuries, 2 years if a life is lost.
This Hits Home at GKT
At Gold, Khourey & Turak, we are all too familiar with this problem. We’re not just reading about these incidents—we’re on the front lines every day helping people seriously injured by negligent drivers.
We helped a police officer who was hit and seriously injured by a passing driver while simply assisting another motorist.
We’ve stood beside a good Samaritan who pulled over to help someone on the roadside and was hit and seriously injured by another driver that was driving too fast. They were doing the right thing, and they paid a heavy price for another driver’s careless actions.
These are real tragedies happening right here in the Ohio Valley and the communities we serve. West Virginia’s new Pullover Law is about protecting real people doing their jobs, lending a hand, or simply waiting for help. When those protections aren’t enough and someone is seriously injured, GKT is here to help because helping seriously injured people recover what they deserve is what we do every day, and it’s who we are.
Michelle Marinacci joined Gold, Khourey & Turak in 2018 bringing with her 20 years of litigation experience, including prosecuting and defending civil litigation cases and assisting in case decisions at the West Virginia Supreme Court of Appeals.
