Maryland State Police is partnering with other law enforcement agencies in Virginia as part of a Move Over law education and enforcement campaign.
The goal of the campaign, which is set for June 17-23, 2018 is to inform the public about the importance of the Move Over law while helping keep the roads safe for law enforcement officers and motorists alike. In Maryland, the law requires drivers approaching from the rear of an emergency vehicle using visual signals while stopped on a highway to, if possible, make a lane change into an available lane not immediately adjacent to the emergency vehicle.
If moving to another lane away from the stopped emergency vehicle is not possible, the law requires drivers to slow to a reasonable and prudent speed that is safe for existing weather, road, and vehicular or pedestrian traffic conditions. The intent of the Move Over law is to provide an extra barrier of safety for police officers, fire fighters, and emergency rescue personnel working along Maryland roads.
All 50 states have enacted some sort of Move Over law. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, 138 law enforcement officers were struck and killed on the nation’s highways between 2003 and 2013.
In Maryland, a violation of the Move Over law is a primary offense with a fine of $110 and one point. If the violation contributes to a traffic crash, the fine is $150 and three points. If the violation contributes to a traffic crash resulting in death or serious injury, the fine is $750 and three points.
The Maryland State Police’s Washington Metro Troop, which includes the Forestville, Rockville and College Park Barracks, will be participating in this initiative. In Virginia, those participating include the Virginia State Police, along with the Fairfax County Police Department, the Arlington County Police Department, the Alexandria Police Department, the Prince William County Police Department and the Loudon County Sheriff’s Office.
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Editor’s Note:
Delaware also has a “Move Over” Law. Delaware’s law requires any driver approaching a stopped emergency vehicle that has its lights activated, to either move over into a lane that is not next to the emergency vehicle, or to reduce his or her speed to a “safe speed” while passing the emergency vehicle if changing lanes would be impossible or unsafe?