Trucking Laws · Oklahoma · October 25, 2026

Oklahoma I-35 Shoulder Crash Brings a Move-Over Law Reminder

Firefighters in southern Oklahoma are reminding drivers how the state's move-over law works after a deadly crash involving a tractor-trailer that was stopped on the shoulder of Interstate 35 for repairs.

The details come from the Love County Fire Department, as reported by KXII. The Oklahoma Highway Patrol is investigating. No one involved has been publicly identified, and officials have not stated a cause.

Oklahoma's move-over law

According to the Love County Fire Department, Oklahoma's move-over law applies to any stopped vehicle displaying flashing or hazard lights. That includes a disabled semi, a service truck or a passenger vehicle.

When two or more lanes are traveling in the same direction, drivers should move into a lane away from the stopped vehicle when it is safe to do so, the fire department said.

If a driver cannot safely move over, or only one lane is available, drivers should slow to a safe speed and proceed with caution, according to the department.

What happened Friday night

Responders were called shortly before 8 p.m. Friday, Oct. 23, to a crash about 3 miles south of Marietta on southbound I-35, the fire department said.

A tractor-trailer was parked on the shoulder for emergency repairs, with a service truck parked directly behind it, when a second tractor-trailer struck the first, according to the fire department.

One person was killed, and two other people were transported for medical care, the department said.

The Oklahoma Highway Patrol called out its Traffic Homicide Unit to investigate, according to the fire department.

Traffic was diverted off the freeway and through Marietta for several hours. Responders were on scene for more than four hours, and the freeway reopened to one lane around 1 a.m. Saturday, the department said.

The bigger picture

According to the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety, as cited by KXII, more than 2,100 people were struck and killed while stranded or working on U.S. roadsides from 2019 through 2023, an average of more than 420 deaths a year. Those killed included drivers and passengers outside disabled vehicles, roadside assistance workers, police officers, firefighters and people who stopped to help, according to the foundation.

Big Rig Daily extends its sympathies to everyone affected.

Rules vary by state. The truck laws by state guide links each state's official sources, and the pre-trip inspection checklist covers equipment checks to make before a trip.

A question for readers

Oklahoma's law covers any stopped vehicle with flashing or hazard lights, including a service truck.

How often do you see drivers actually move over for a truck or service vehicle stopped with its flashers on?

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