1-23-10
If a patrol car is pulled over to the side of the road, you have to change to the next lane (away from the stopped vehicle) or slow down by 20 mph.......
Every state except Hawaii and Maryland and the D.C. has this law.
In California, the "Move-over" law became operative on January 1, 2010. http://www.moveoveramerica.com/
My son got a ticket on Pleasant Hill coming back from Wal-Mart. police car (turned out it was 2 police cars) was on the side of the road giving a ticket to someone else. My son slowed down to pass but did not move into the other lane.
The second police car immediately pulled him over and gave him a ticket. My son and I had never heard of the law. It is a fairly new law that states if any emergency vehicle is on the side of the road, if you are able, you are to move into the far lane.
The cost of the ticket was $754, with 3 points on your license and a mandatory court appearance. I do not know how much the fine is in CA but it is too stiff to not let you know Please let everyone you know that drives about this new law.
It is true (see details at the following web address).
11 Comments
HampsterW
Holy shit, that is one stiff ass fine.....good to know.
Pkato
it is to protect the officers from idiots who cannot look to see what is happening and drive straight at the same time. Many officers have been hit while ticketing. It may seem stiff...but the officer is in very real danger...so really, I don't have a problem with it.
Firearms stand next in importance to the Constitution itself.
They are the American people's liberty teeth and keystone
under independence. -- George Washington
ivantank
have been doing this for years..course its really common sence to move over for a cop...well maybe not so common after all
HampsterW
In this day and age of people doing everything BUT driving behind the wheel it totaly makes sense.
zx12rmike
In Kali on a couple different occasions, I had to have what I was driving be towed. You never saw a more nervous individual than that tow driver. One told me a co worker had been killed. This law makes total sense. I always give as much room as possible to WHOEVER is on the side of the road. Not doing a public service announcement like they do with seatbelts, does two things. It continues to put their own lives in danger and it allows them to right those expensive tickets.
Nitris
you could hit someone head on.
ivantank
you sure that dog don't do crack.???
Nitris
don't ever send your dog over to him to puppy set.
Shakleford
I have no problem with it and think it's a great idea. We had an Leo killed here in Ft. Worth not to long before the law went into effect. I bet it drives officers nuts when somone just pulls over in a lane instead of pulling into a parking lot, or how about the dumbass that will pull over into a turn lane!
trevorferguson
but got off with a warning. I slowed down but couldn't pull over due to the fact there was a motorcycle beside me that wouldn't move. Once I was pulled over the hwy patrol explained why I was pulled over and asked me if there was someone beside me. I was honest and told him that there was a motorcycle beside me. He then politely just gave me a verbal warning and let me go. He told me that he could tell I was trying to move over or at least it looked like I was going to but was curious why I didn't. Everyone says that the Texas hypo's are pricks but i've had no problem with them, show them respect and they will do the same to you, unless you are flat out breaking the law.
Schuyler
Most people do that anyway. At least you have an alternative.
Most people are pretty courteous. I walk my dog along a busy road every day, against traffic (also the law). There is actually plenty of room on the side of the road, but, of course, a dog can easily freak out. About half the cars and nearly all the trucks will pull over into the next lane as they pass me. I always give them a wave in thanks. I notice that if there's another dog on the other side of the road, everyone screeches to a halt, worries that one of the dogs will bolt.