A newly amended Virginia law takes some guesswork out of roadway safety.

As an expansion of the current “Move Over” law, drivers must now move over or slow down for any vehicle on the side of the road displaying flashing red, blue, amber or hazard lights.

The law, first enacted by the General Assembly in 2002, required drivers to change lanes and proceed with caution when passing emergency and law enforcement vehicles displaying red or blue flashing lights, and utility, tow and roadside assistance trucks displaying amber flashing lights on the roadside.

“The change, effective July 1, expands this protection to any stationary vehicle displaying hazard lights, warning signs like an emergency triangle, or flares,” said Janet Brooking, executive director of DRIVE SMART Virginia (DSV). “An example of a situation like this might be a driver who pulls over to the side of the road to fix a flat tire.”

When flashing or hazard lights appear on the roadside, motorists are required to...