Move Over America ! Move Over Law Now Enacted in 44 States and Effective Jan 1, 2010 in California

WIlliam, it's something most of us do naturally.  Didn't think we needed a law to get people to do this.  I'm surprised at the hefty fine.

What a horrific video. Howard County Maryland lost Corporal Scott Wheeler in 2007 while working a speed enforcement detail. 

William-That video is just horrific.  I had no idea this was such a problem that they needed to make it a law.  Now I can see why!

Just stopped by to invite you to the ActiveRain Super Bowl Party. Stop by if you get a chance. Geaux Saints!

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.

William, thanks for the great post. I'm re-blogging it to get the word out to as many people as possible. The video is great, too.

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!

It is only common sense to move over.  It is a pity that we have to legislate common sense and courtesy now. 

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.

William Here in Virginia police officers park behind the car they are "visiting" at an angle projecting back onto the road. It must also help

Thank you William for your concern for those who protect us. We need to protect them and show them respect every chance we get. Take care.

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.

William - I recently heard about this law, and it is good to know. Thanks for sharing the information!

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.

Great reminder for everyone. Thanks, William!

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.

Nope.

Give me the money

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.