Move Over America ! Move Over Law Now Enacted in 44 States and Effective Jan 1, 2010 in California
As Real Estate professionals we are on the road a lot and driving laws affecting us are important. One of my past clients sent me an e-mail today describing a current law that had impacted a family member. It is called apply enough the Move Over Law.
I searched this out on the internet as I was somewhat unfamiliar with it and decided to check it out. I was surprised to read that this law has now been enacted in 44 states and that in a recent survey 76% of people were unfamiliar with it. This is also the Law in my state.
In California, the "Move-over" law became effective on January 1, 2010. In at least one area of the state, the cost of the ticket was $754, with 3 points on your license and a mandatory court appearance. Each state may be different on that aspect of the enforcement of the law.
But it would be my guess that this law which impacts law enforcement or any other emergency or public vehicle is to be taken seriously. We have all read of so many instances where an officer of the law stopping a vehicle was killed or injured while attending to that duty.
This law makes a lot of sense me and one that I certainly will respect. In truth, instinctively I would move over anyway if possible while also slowing down, especially for a law enforcement or emergency vehicle that has pulled over to the side of the road. At even slower speeds, driving by any stopped vehicle creates a real gust of wind that can pull a person along the roadway from their balance., making them prone to yet another car hitting them.
I recall Brad Andersohn telling me once that some of the best posts in ActiveRain are in our "sent" box. And maybe he also meant in our "inbox" as well. In this case we all drive and every person that reads this will be informed about this. So in a way, I think of this post will serve a good purpose. To help our law enforcement and safety personnel stay safe while they are doing a job that we hire them to do, keeping us safe.
I hope this video will help you remember this and move over whenever it is feasible to do so. It's the Law!
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Hi William-That is a law that makes sense. It is automatic for me as well. Some people don't though. I think now they might think twice with the price of that ticket. Hope you had a great Sunday. <SMILE>
William, this is a great thing for everyone. Several officers in our state have been killed over the last few years. Maybe this will save families from so much grief.
Thanks for the post, and especially the embedded video. This is the law in Arizona, and I'm glad to see that it's being taken seriously across the nation.
Hi William,
First time I heard this was on talk radio at the end of last year, yet I'm not sure it's all that well known and I no idea the cost of the tick was that high. I think it's good idea and long over-due.
You know another thing that really surprises me, is how few people actually pull over and stop when hearing a siren. It's like they move over and drive slower, but don't stop. Even if it's for oncoming traffic. you never know when one of those guys has to manuver around other vehicles.
William, thanks for bringing this great info that I did not know, you always bring something new to us ! It's a pleasure to read your blogs , keep the good work amigo !
William - First of all, CONGRATULATIONS on reaching your 400,000+ AR points. That's quite a milestone.
I had heard about the new law, but hadn't realized it wasn't already the law. It just makes sense! That's a hefty fine for not adhering, and should be a powerful deterant to breaking it!
Hi Everyone, Thank you for your comments. It is about awareness and bringing this forward to the public , who at least by a recent survey didn't know about it. The link explains more about the law and it did seem comprehensive. Emergency vehicles, tow trucks, and I think it might even include city and utility. It was interesting to learn about this law and every day we learn more and more about the laws that affect us as we serve the public. :-)
William, Now that I watched the video, yes, I do that in Colorado, I did not know about the law, but I usually respect that and by precaution I always swith to the other line !
Hi William - I knew about this law - and you know, really it's just common sense, but apparently so many people don't do it that it needed to become a law... I had no idea the fine was so high, tho!
Hi William, thanks for the PSA - The last time I had this happen, I couldn't move over due to traffic in the other lane, I guess the guy in the lane next to me didn't know the law and wasn't going to let me in, no matter what!
William - We have a "move over law" here in Ontario as well. I find it troublesome to see the need for laws enacted to force people to do what they should be doing as a common courtesy. It's a shame that people are so wrapped up in themselves that laws like this are necessary.
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I find it amazing that we have to have a law like this. Way back in Driver's Ed in Texas in 1972, that was one of the first things we learned. Emergency vehicles always have the right of way.
We need this law up here in Montreal, Quebec. Invariably when a driver is hogging an outside lane, slowing traffic, we Quebecers know it is probably someone from Ontario.
Because Ontario is known for their defensive driving, it is tolerated. Oppositely, Quebecers are known for their offensive driving and so people learn quick not to hog a lane. Of course, feathers can get ruffled in the process.
So, good for CA and I hope the law makes it our way soon.
This is a great post and it's good we have a law even though common sense would dictate that! The video in the background was incredible, I cannot believe the officer got up!
William, just saw this on Lottie's blog and came over to comment. There was a time in our country when everyone would move over, but today emergency vehicles complain that they can hardly get through traffic because nobody will move over. And certainly you would want to move over when nearing an emergency vehicle if at all possible.
Hi William. Wow... learn something new every day! I hope that this will save lives as there are to many senseless deaths. I hope that people everywhere will respect this law! I always try to think about how I would feel if it were my loved one in the ambulance having a heart attack. I would want everyone to MOVE OVER!! Thanks for sharing!
William I thought this was the law, I am sure this was covered in the booklet I had to read before getting a license. This is common sense but then again that is something that is in short supply.
Thank you so much for all your great comments. It would seem almost elementary that we as drivers get out of the way or at least be cognizant enough to try. These laws came about because what we would deem as logical, others don't even even consider. Sadly after so many unnecessary deaths because people drive and don't think enough about others, these laws come about and then need to be enforced. I suppose if they make the fine big enough, people will eventually take heed. I know this post would be preaching to the Choir but in the hopes that some consumers who do read our posts might see and become aware, it serves the main point for me writing this. Thank you for dropping over and know that I really appreciate all your support.
William. This is the law in North Carolina too. Thanks for getting the word out. We need to slow down and move over anyway, not just because it's the law but because it's the safe thing to do. Imagine how you'd feel if you were speeding along, hurrying to get home or to your next appointment and killed a police officer doing his/her job.
My brother who is not a police officer but just a good person, stopped on the side of the road to offer assistance to a motorist who'd had an accident once and another car hit him and almost killed him as he walked over to the injured accident victim. Another time when everybody needs to be safe.
William. That is a pretty moving video. It amazes me how many people don't pay respect to the people that are there to protect and help us. Thanks for brining this to everyone's attention.
I swear, sometimes motorists are clueless when it comes to knowing what to do when an emergency vehicle approaches. It should be like the parting of the Red Sea. Instead, it's like a 3 Stooges routine.
William, With every good intention comes something unintended.
I was watching highway patrol standing in the left lane. I was going to Miami. There is a concrete divider on the left, and 3 lanes of heavy traffic. His lights were on, and all he was doing was stopping motorists, who did not move into another lane.
The speed limit is 70. Cars move at 80 MPH, and there was nowhere to move, but he would stop you even if you get to a complete halt and write you a ticket for not moving into another lane.
I understand the point, but it is so abused by fiscally concerned policemen, that the law seems to be used not to protect them in the emergency, but to allow them to collect more money, creating really dangerous situations.
What I watched was a money making emergency, and I wil not be surprised to learn that it caused some rear ending there.
I asked him how come he stopped me even when I practically stopped BEFORE reaching him and he said that he measured the speed when he could see me, and it was 55 MPH. Sure, I saw the lights, slowed down and at some point going from 80 to a hault, there was 55 MPH, but I stopped before reaching him.
Hi Jon, It was great to say hello to you on the phone. Thank you so much for letting me know that my comments were duplicated seven times . And thank you for your evidence about this law and a circumstance wherein it could be abused if not administered in the correct way. Your comments took me off guard as I had never even considered that as a possibility. Thank you for sharing it.
What a heart wrenching video to watch, that one will definitely be seared into my memory. It appears that officer saw it coming and by partially getting out of the way, even though he was hit and went up in the air, his quick response probably saved his own life. I was amazed that he got up quickly to get off the road, that man is a true hero. I cannot fathom (apart from being distracted by a cell phone perhaps) how a drive could not see to stay away from a police vehicle with flashing lights on.
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William,
When I learned to drive, more than a few years ago, this is how it was taught. It amazes me that we need the laws, but it appears that we do.