Move Over America

We all are aware of the fact that when we hear an emergency vehicle siren we are to pull over to the right shoulder and wait for them to pass, however, I have heard of a number of cases in the last few months of people passing a policeman stopped on the side of the road giving a ticket being pulled over minutes later a getting a ticket for not moving over to the inside lane. It too is the law.

More than 150 U.S. law enforcement officers have been killed since 1999 after being struck by vehicles along America's highways, according to the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund. To lower that deadly toll, a new coalition of traffic safety and law enforcement groups is launching a nationwide public awareness campaign to protect emergency personnel along our nation's roadsides.

According to a national poll by Mason Dixon Polling & Research, sponsored by the National Safety Commission:

• 71 percent of Americans have not heard of “Move Over” laws;
• 86 percent support enacting “Move Over” laws in all 50 states; and
• 90 percent believe traffic stops and roadside emergencies are dangerous for law enforcement and first responders.

Here is what the law says:

21809. (a) A person driving a vehicle on a freeway approaching a stationary authorized emergency vehicle that is displaying emergency lights, ( )¹ a stationary tow truck that is displaying flashing amber warning lights, or a stationary marked Department of Transportation vehicle that is displaying flashing amber warning lights, shall approach with due caution and, before passing in a lane immediately adjacent to the authorized emergency vehicle ( )¹ , tow truck, or Department of Transportation vehicle, absent ( )² other direction by a peace officer, proceed to do one of the following:

(1) Make a lane change into an available lane not immediately adjacent to the authorized emergency vehicle, tow truck, or ( )³ Department of Transportation vehicle, with due regard for safety and traffic conditions, if practicable and not prohibited by law.

(2) If the maneuver described in paragraph (1) would be unsafe or impracticable, slow to a reasonable and prudent speed that is safe for existing weather, road, and vehicular or pedestrian traffic conditions.

(b) A violation of subdivision (a) is an infraction, punishable by a fine of not more than fifty dollars ($50).

(c) ( )⁴ The requirements of subdivision (a) do not apply if the stationary authorized emergency vehicle that is displaying emergency lights, the stationary tow truck that is displaying flashing amber warning lights, or the stationary marked Department of Transportation vehicle that is displaying flashing amber warning lights is not adjacent to the freeway or is separated from the freeway by a protective physical barrier.

The fine may not be significant to many, however, this is a moving violation and will effect your insurance rates. To receive the "California Good Driver Discount" you can only have one ticket or accident on your DMV record. Once the second mark hits your record, upon renewal of your policy, the discount will be removed. Minor incidents remain on your record for three years, and depending on your policy renewal date, you can end up paying for them for four years.

So now you know - Move Over America - It's the Law

For more information: http://www.moveoveramerica.com