A new traffic law will be going into effect in the very near future. The "Move Over Law" will require motorists travelling on any roadway with 4 or more lanes approaching any scene where an authorized emergency vehicle is stopped to "move over" one lane AWAY from where the vehicle is stopped. This law is an attempt to make the roadways safer for emergency service workers while performing their jobs. Similar laws are enacted and enforced in other states.
A new Alabama law requires motorists on roadways with four or more lanes to move over one lane when approaching emergency vehicles stopped with their flashing emergency lights activated. Known as the "move over" law, the act requires motorists to change into a lane not adjacent to an authorized emergency vehicle that has stopped and is displaying flashing emergency lights. The law also stipulates that when changing lanes is unsafe or not possible, motorists instead should slow down and maintain a safe speed for the road conditions.
"Alabama state troopers and other emergency responders routinely stop their vehicles roadside, and that makes them especially vulnerable," said Col. Mike Coppage, Director of the Alabama Department of Public Safety. "Changing lanes when possible, or slowing down and proceeding with caution, provides an extra measure of safety to law enforcement officers and other emergency responders," said Coppage.
Act 2006-546 was passed during the regular session of the Legislature and becomes effective July 1. The law's "move over" provision applies to roadways with four or more lanes, with at least two lanes proceeding in the same direction as the vehicle being approached.
Information from:
The BLUE LIGHT, Page 12
The official monthly publication of the Alabama Department of Public Safety
Last edited by stickman; 07-06-2006 at 02:01 AM.
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Re: Move Over Law Passed In Alabama
I thought law was a federal law. I didn't know that it had to be passed in each state individually. Although it is common courtesy to do that anyway I guess some people have to be made to do it. That is sad , HUH . That people couldn't just do it out of courtesy. But it is a good law just a the law that you should pull over to the right and stop when an emergency vehicle is coming up behind you. I got so angry the other day I was driving down the road and heard an ambulance so I looked in my mirror and saw it coming up behind me so I pulled over and stopped to wait for them to pass. But there were several cars that were coming up to a traffic light that was just turning red and instead of moving over to one lane at the light so the ambulance could pass they took up all lanes and there was no way the ambulance could get through. Finally after the ambulance honked and blurted its siren several times at this one vehicle it finally moved over and let it through. I don't know about other states but I do know that here if that does happen the ambulance driver can call in the license plate number to their dispatch and they will turn it over to the authorties and the registered owner of the vehicle will be mailed a citation.
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I think it's sad that this law has to be passed. There was a time when everyone did this just as good road courtesy. But then again there was a time when most everyone knew all the rules of good safe driving and used them. It's amazing to me how many do not even use a turn signal.
Still can't get people to use signals or turn their lights on when it is raining or still dark for that matter! I wish them luck with this one. Might save a few lives.
After you've heard two eyewitness accounts of an auto accident it makes you wonder about history.
