Move Over Law- General Driver Safety
If you’re driving on a two-lane road and see emergency lights flashing up ahead, your first instinct is probably to slow down. But is your next step to move over into a lane further away? In most states across the country, including here in Georgia, it is the law for motorists to move over to make room for emergency vehicles, DOT workers, and police cars. Traffic incidents are the leading killer of on-duty police officers and emergency personnel[1], so we take this issue seriously. What does our Move Over Law [Georgia Code, Title 40-6-16] say, exactly?
- On a multi-lane road, motorists must move over at least one lane away from the emergency or maintenance crew when lights are flashing.
- On single-lane roads, motorists must slow down below the posted speed limit and be prepared to stop at any moment while passing a parked emergency vehicle.
Too many people have lost their lives here in Georgia after being struck by a vehicle during a traffic stop, emergency call, or while performing roadside maintenance. At iRideSafe™, we are committed to educating drivers and helping our public servants stay safe on the job! Our current laws extend to protect a variety of people, and you as a motorist must follow the Move Over Law when you see any emergency or maintenance vehicle with flashing red, yellow, amber, white, or blue lights stopped on the road or road shoulder, including:
- Police cars
- Ambulance and paramedic vehicles
- Fire and rescue vehicles
- DOT maintenance trucks
- Wrecker and tow trucks
Roadside accidents or other distractions can be deadly for both the crew on the ground and any approaching vehicle. The Georgia Governor’s Office of Highway Safety estimates that 30% of car crashes occur as a result of another crash[2]. So, whether you see a crash up ahead, or you are looking at a crash you are passing, you are at heightened risk for your own crash.
The Move Over law has been in effect in Georgia since 2003, and carries steep fines of up to $500 for motorists that are convicted, according to the Georgia Governor’s Office of Highway Safety. Many roadside stops will have an enforcing police officer, prepared to give violators a hefty ticket, and probably a stern word or two. After all, their friends and family in uniform have the most to lose.
Want to improve your driving skills and safety? Check out all the great tips, videos, and handouts here at iRideSafe™ and keep yourself and others safe on the road.
For more information regarding state laws in Georgia, click here:
http://ghsa.org/html/stateinfo/bystate/ga.html
View the Move Over Law brochure presented by the Georgia Governor’s Office of Highway Safety
Additional Sources:
American Safety Commission
Other Resources