What the Move Over Law for Highway Safety Involves and Requires Motorists to Do
The Move Over Law is designed to protect emergency personnel, tow truck operators, and motorists stranded on the roadside. While the legislation, at first, was meant for state police, emergency responders, and Coordinated Highway Actions Response Team (CHART) trucks, which provided roadside assistance, the law was expanded further in 2014.
At that time, the law covered tow truck drivers as well. In September 2022, the legislation was extended again and now includes parked, standing, or stopped vehicles. This applies not only to authorized emergency vehicles, state troopers’ cars, or highway maintenance vehicles.
The law that directs that drivers move over takes all safety and traffic conditions into consideration, especially vehicles on the side of the road that have lights flashing.
Learning More About Maryland’s Move Over Law
Whether you’re approaching a stationary vehicle or you make a lane change into another lane that allows more space for recovery after an accident, your goal is to make things safer for emergency responders, law enforcement, or any motorist who is stopped.
The Move Over Law includes maintaining a safe speed when you move over for a stopped vehicle. The idea is to use due caution when driving below the posted speed limit. This creates a safe chain reaction, allowing motorists to change lanes safely. As a result, vehicles can move into a lane farther away from stranded vehicles on the side of the road. Ultimately, this helps create a safety zone for emergencies.
Comments About The Importance of the Move Over Law
When you reduce your speed or move to a lane not adjacent to emergency and utility vehicles or any vehicle stopped on the side of the highway, you’re working for the public good.
State Senator Jeff Waldstreicher, the sponsor of the Move Over Law, emphasized the importance of yielding the right of way by making a lane change when approaching maintenance workers, utility service vehicles, wrecker trucks, or police vehicles with warning lights.
This is done by creating a right-of-way through a lane change. This allows enough room for vehicles at the side of the highway to handle emergencies and roadside services.
This means that motorists always change lanes when approaching stopped or slowed vehicles on the roadside that display warning lights. This indicator is, therefore, a warning that motorists must proceed with caution.
If a driver fails to do this and causes an accident because they don’t change lanes away safely from emergency personnel or utility workers, they should be held accountable.
Moreover, the state’s Transportation Secretary Jim Ports has stated that the Move Over Law extends the same protections to the everyday driver’s vehicle if possible.
The current law, which took effect in 2022, makes everyone more cognizant of highway safety. The law encourages motorists to move with care and reduce their speed when autos are stopped on the shoulder.
Motorists are required, when proceeding in the same direction, to give leeway to roadside workers. The law mandates motorists to provide enough space, whether they’re traveling highways with two lanes or at least four lanes on a roadway.
How the Move Over Law Protects First Responders Tow Truck Workers
According to the AAA, emergency responders and tow truck drivers have extremely dangerous jobs. According to stats, on average, two workers are hit and killed monthly by a driver who does not move over to an adjacent lane, allowing enough space to take care of emergencies. They may not move over for stopped crash autos or a recovery vehicle, which leads to another wreck.
What Leads to Driver Fault in Shoulder and Roadside Accidents?
Drivers that are to blame for accidents along the roadside or shoulder may not yield the right-of-way by making the following mistakes:
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Failure to Follow the Move Over Law
Some motorists simply do not adhere to the Move Over Law – not slowing down or changing lanes when towing trucks or other vehicles with flashing lights on the shoulder approach.
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Distracted Driving
Some drivers become distracted by using their phones, eating, or adjusting their entertainment system. Others simply fail to stay focused on the road.
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Speeding and Recklessness
Speeding over the posted speed limit and reckless driving can place both the stationary vehicle and the occupants at risk. Changing lanes suddenly can also lead to wrecks. Drivers must watch their speed and drive defensively – two tenets that make the Move Over Law so important.
Key Provisions of the Move Over Law as of October 1, 2022
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Requirement to Move Over One Lane.
If you see a vehicle stopped along the roadside with warning signals, such as hazard lights or flares, the law mandates that you must move over one lane. This action provides a safety buffer for people in the stopped vehicle and helps prevent accidents.
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Slowing Down if Changing Lanes is Not Possible.
There are times when traffic or road conditions make it unsafe or impossible to change lanes. In these situations, the Maryland Move Over Law requires drivers to slow down to a safe speed. This reduced speed should be cautious enough to allow for a sudden stop if necessary to ensure the safety of those on the shoulder.
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Covering a Wider Range of Vehicles.
Initially, the law primarily covered emergency vehicles and law enforcement. However, as of October 1, 2022, its scope has broadened significantly.
Now, the law also includes tow trucks, utility vehicles, and sanitation trucks. It essentially applies to any vehicle that is stopped on the side of the road with warning signals active. This expansion ensures a higher level of safety for a greater number of workers and disabled drivers.
Penalties for Violating the Move Over Law
Maryland’s Move Over Law is designed to protect emergency workers and law enforcement officers working along the roadside. Understanding the penalties for not complying with this law is, therefore, imperative.
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Base Violation
If drivers fail to move over or slow down when approaching an emergency vehicle stopped on the side of the road, they will be fined $110. They will also receive 1 point on their driving record. This basic penalty applies to any failure to comply, even if no harm is caused.
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Causing an Accident
If a driver’s failure to move over results in an accident, the penalties increase significantly. The driver will face a $150 fine, and 3 points will be added to their motor vehicle record. These stiffer penalties reflect the increased risk and potential harm caused by not adhering to the law.
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Accident with Serious Injury or Death
The most severe penalties are applied when an infraction of the Move Over Law leads to an accident that causes serious injury or death. In these cases, the fine escalates to $750, with the driver receiving 3 points on their driving record.
Additionally, a driver may face potential manslaughter charges if their actions are found to directly contribute to the serious injury or death of another person.
Reach Out Now If You’ve Had An Accident With Another Driver Who Violated the Move Over Law
Have you been involved in an accident where another driver of another motor vehicle did not follow Maryland’s Move Over Law?
The law requires a driver to change lanes or slow down when approaching stopped emergency vehicles, tow trucks, or service vehicles. This also applies to any vehicle with flashing lights.
If another motorist does not comply with the law and causes an accident, then they can be held liable for your damages and injuries. Maybe you think it would be impossible to submit a claim. However, it’s important to stay positive.
If another driver is negligent for your injuries, speak to our legal team now. Call our firm at (410) 705-7460 to schedule a free in-person consultation.
