Move Over, It's The Law

                                Move Over, It's The Law

There is a new campaign underway called "Move Over, It's The Law." This whole week law officials are cracking down on drivers who don’t move over or slow down for emergency vehicles that have their flashing lights on. The Orange County Sheriffs Office is one of the agencies involved in this campaign. Here are some of the rules outlined by the campaign:

• On a two-lane roadway, you are required to slow to a speed that is 20 miles per hour less than the posted speed limit.
• If the speed limit is 20 miles per hour or less, you must slow down to five miles per hour.
• If you are driving on an interstate or roadway with multiple lanes of travel in the same direction, and you approach an emergency, law enforcement, sanitation, or utility service vehicles parked along the roadway, you must vacate the lane closest to that vehicle as soon as it is safe to do so. If you are not able to safely move over, you must slow down to a speed of 20 MPH below the posted speed limit unless directed otherwise by a law enforcement officer.

 Violating the Move Over Law puts both yourself and a public safety professional at risk of getting injured. Not following these simple rules can result in a fine and points on your license. Is it really worth it? So what if you are unable to safely switch lanes? You still must slow down to a speed of at least 20 mph below the posted speed limit. People often wonder "If I cannot change lanes safely should I stop my vehicle in the roadway?" The answer is no. This would just block the flow of traffic and definitely cause an accident. It's better to just slow down while still maintaining a safe speed. The most important thing to remember is to just stay alert! Always keep your eyes on the road and be aware of your surroundings.

"Move Over, It's The Law" is being strongly enforced this week, but it's a law that applies to drivers all the time. Remember to always follow the rules outlined above, and you'll be making the road a safer place for everyone.

Source: Channel 13 News