Are you aware of this New Traffic Law - Ticket cost $754.00? (VANITY)

Vanity | 07/27/2011

[RedCell]

I live in CT (but who knows for how much longer based on our new tax structure) and I believe I recall seeing this in the local rags. I do it anyway out of courtesy to the trooper. Same for joggers/walkers/bikers on the local roads.

[Excellence]

Analysis: It's true that California, like most states, has a "move over" law requiring drivers to move over or slow down when they see emergency responder vehicles on the side of the road, but the statute isn't new. It went into effect in 2007. A revision of the statute effective January 1, 2010 simply adds an additional category to the list of covered responders (Caltrans vehicles with flashing amber warning lights) and makes the law permanent.

A California Department of Transportation publication summarizes the amended statute as follows:

The new law, introduced as Senate Bill 240 by Senator Roderick Wright, District 25 (Inglewood), takes effect on January 1, 2010. At that time, motorists will have to slow down and, if safe, move over to a lane not immediately adjacent to the stationary vehicle. The law does not apply when the vehicle with flashing warning lights is not adjacent to the freeway or is separated from the freeway by a protective physical barrier. Current law requires motorists to only yield to law enforcement, emergency responders or tow truck operators who are working on the roadside.

Contrary to what is claimed in the above email, the penalty for failure to comply isn't $754. California law specifies a fine of not more than $50 per violation. Even if additional local penalties are applied the total fine isn't likely to reach $754 for a single offense.

[Malone LaVeigh]

We have a version of that law here in Louisiana. You are required to slow down and change lanes, if possible. Needless to say, if there’s an 18 wheeler there it might prove a mite difficult.

[basil]

This has been the law for a long time—and in addition, I think it is a safe and courteous thing to do. I can’t imagine NOT moving over unless the other lane is not open......then, I don’t know what one would do in that case.

[grobdriver]

He slowed down to pass but did not move into the other lane.

Wonder why he got stopped as the law is move over or slow down.
Presumes the second guy was running a radar, using the original stop as bait (sneaky $hits).

This has been the law in Texas for a while now... too many cops getting run over while writing a ticket.

[ProudFossil]

In New Mexico there are signs along the highways, especially the freeways, stating the requirement to move over or yield to emergency and law enforcement vehicles. Been that way for years so no big deal.

[mrmeyer]

We have a similar law here in NJ, though I'm not sure what the penalty is in terms of ticket amount or points.

Speaking from experience, it's not easy trying to move over to the center lane during rush hour when you're on a 3 lane interstate in the most densley populated state in the nation. 90% of the time I'll slow down because I can't get over.

[Sacajaweau]

It’s why the cop parks his car into the driving lane...to protect himself.

[tgusa]

Slow down, as the law states, at least here in VA. No big deal.

[Responsibility2nd]

This move over to the next lane law has been in place here in Texas for years. They even have signs on the highway.

 

 

 

 

I don't know what the fine is, but I'm sure it's excessive.

 

The problem is that often YOU CAN'T move over. There's a car right next to you. The other problem is that some morons knee-jerk react when they turn that curve or cross that hill and see a cop over on the side writing a ticket. Then that moron freaks out and swerves over nearly side-swiping the car already in that lane.

 

I see truckers doing this a lot. It pisses me off.

 

I want to know this: Just what kind of "emergency" is there really for some cop to be collecting revenue on the side of the road; to the point it place a real danger for him, the poor motorist, and hundreds more who must take quick and evasive action?

 

grrrr!!!!!!

 

(rant off)

[B.O. Plenty]

All states and municipalities are so strapped for cash that they will do anything to get paid.

The way to avoid paying them is to go the speed limit...no matter what it is.

Just slow down and deprive the bloodsuckers another meal...

...and always remember...

...Elections have consequences...

[momtothree]

“... you are required to slow down and change lanes, IF POSSIBLE”.

I am guessing that certain roads are less travelled. I am thinking of our highways (and even state/county roads) during rush hour. No way to move over to the next lane UNLESS you literally stop traffic prior to passing the LEO and keep your turn signal on. Of course, that would stop traffic and probably cause an accident. In my area, most cars won’t allow you to come over into their lane no matter what. Interesting law!

[DariusBane]

It is state by state, not national. However legislators and lobbyist go to national “screw the public” conventions to find new and exciting ways to tax errrr penalize drivers.

It is common curtesy to pull into the next lane for ANYBODY on the shoulder to give them room, avoid throwing rocks into them with your tires. The thing about these laws that make me see RED is that the law operates under the premise that gubment employees are more important than the rest of us.

I give room to everybody. But gubment cheese swilling Union thugs get no special consideration from me.

[Mr. Lucky]

It not a naional law, it’s merely a law that is so obviously appropriate that virtually all states have adopted a version of it. Why does that upset you?

[flatfish]

Here in Tex. I believe the law is, Move into another lane OR slow down to 20 MPH below the posted speed limit.

.

[=8 mrrabbit 8=]

Care to post the email headers for the email you supposedly received?

Have a link to the originating website for which the actual author of the “supposed email” can be cited?

...else this is just spam passed along...and you maybe just like to troll?

=8-)

[WoodlandsTXFreeper2]

The sign does give you the option to either move over OR slow down.

[Fresh Wind]

It’s not only cops writing tickets, a cop around here was killed while trying to remove a dead deer from the road.

[DariusBane]

“elections have consequences”.

Your right. But which American political philosophy will you choose?

Statist from the left who want to sock the public for dollars?

Law and Order Conservatives who have met no behavior they don’t wish to modify by force?

So left or right, the streets teeming with gubment cheese swilling union thugs.