[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.

[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...

[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?

[=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-)

[Above My Pay Grade]

I believe they recently enacted a similar law in NY, though I don’t know what the fine is.

I have a feeling this will cause more accidents than it prevents. As long at the police and the cars involved in the traffic stop/accident are not in a lane of traffic, changing lanesseems unnecessary, and I have no doubt many accidents will occur when people panic and quickly change lanes to avoid a ticket.

[dila813]

Nope, didn’t know that, but that would explain the massive traffic jams caused by just one patrol car sitting on the side of the road.

One patrol car the other day caused a 22 mile back up on the I5, thought there was a massive wreak up ahead and when I got there it was a lone patrol car that had pulled someone over with his lights on.

If you do the math, this would take less than 20 mins to develop assuming a highway speed of 55mph which is a very conservative estimate.

[AEMILIUS PAULUS]

I did not know this. I drive mainly multi lane highways and do not drive in the lane closest to the right side of the road. That is probably why I have never been stopped. Thanks for posting the information.

[ninergold3]

We are in Nevada and my husband got one of these tickets. The NHP was pulled w-a-y off the road but had his flashing lights on. We weren't able to pull over because there was a car on our left.

Didn't matter to Mr. NHP - he gave us the ticket anyway. My husband said he got the ticket only because the NHP officer had to stand on the running board to look in our window. *giggle*

Hubby took it to court and plead "not guilty" with the ADA. The ADA agreed and recommended to the judge that all charges be dropped after hubby had 6 months w/out a ticket. Six months later his driving record was clean again.

[Brookhaven]

So you think it’s OK to run down police officers?

The reason this law exists is because a number of police officers in the past have been struck by passing vehicles while they were standing next to a driver’s door giving a ticket.

Ideally, the officer should have the offender pull over into a parking lot, but that isn’t always possible. Most of the time the car pulls over onto the shoulder of the road, which means the officer must stand on the edge of the roadway while cars zoom past him only inches away (literally, only inches away) from his body.

How would you feel if you were standing next to a car, and car after car (driven by complete strangers) were passing withing just a few inches of you? The danger of the officer being clipped by a fender or mirror is high. Even at only 20 miles an hour, the damage done to someone hit by a car can be serious.

This is a safety issue for police officers. The fine is high, because it’s the only way to get the message across to the thick-headed that you need to watch out for police officers if they are standing on the side of the road interacting with a citizen.

Normally, I’m opposed to governments using traffic citations as money-making opportunities (which most are), but this is a time when a high fine is called for (imho).

[reaganaut]

Yeah, its true. I spend a lot of time on the road and know this is the law in most states. Fines vary by states and some states like WY (IIRC) have signs posted.

[McGruff]

I’ve heard of this but it’s a stupid idea. If you pull over to the left lane you’re apt to get rear ended by the guy who is speeding up to pass you before you get to the police car. Another well meaning but stupid idea.

[wolfman23601]

Wow, that law is a year old in VA, but the penalties aren’t that harsh.

[Navy Patriot]

This is true (fine varies), and I simply plan ahead by never using the right lane (and sometimes the left lane), until I exit the freeway. That way I can't get boxed into an arbitrary ticket.