Maryland Police Declare May ‘Move Over Month’
The law requires motorists to move over or slow down if they see emergency personnel on the side of the road.
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In an effort to increase awareness and ensure the safety of emergency personnel, the Maryland State Police have declared May “Move Over Month.”
The Move Over initiative is being used to remind motorists that if they see emergency personnel on the side of the road they need to switch lanes or slow down. Many drivers remain unaware of the law that went into effect in October 2010.
“We thought that because of a couple incidents in the beginning of the year that injured a couple of police officers, the Move Over Law was not something that our motorists were familiar with enough,” said Elena Russo, Maryland State Police spokeswoman. “These two incidents could have been prevented if the motorist had slowed down and moved over when they saw the situation that was overhead.”
An Anne Arundel County police officer was struck April 15 during a routine traffic stop on Maryland Route 665 near Riva Road in the Parole section of Annapolis. The officer was hit walking back to his cruiser.
To help promote Move Over Month, police officers are displaying a decal in their back window that reads: “If I’m on the Shoulder: Slow Down. Move Over.” The sticker should remind approaching cars of the law.
Those who fail to obey the Move Over Law could face serious monetary consequences. According to the Maryland State Police, violating the Move Over law is a primary offense with a fine of $110 and one point.
If the motorist’s 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 escalates to $750 and three points.
The purpose of the Move Over Law is to protect emergency personnel. While Russo said the law does not specifically refer to construction workers, drivers should still use caution when they see state highway workers on the road.
“The Move Over Law’s intent is to provide that extra barrier of safety for any of our emergency responders, so police officers and firefighters,” Russo said.
“Also, the law does not pertain to our state highway workers, but they should be considered emergency workers when you see them on the side of the road with their yellow lights blinking”
All motorists should slow down or move over if they see emergency personnel on the side of the road to ensure everyone’s safety, and to avoid a hefty fine.
Kenny Catlett
8:06 am on Wednesday, May 16, 2012
This law should cover all emergency workers including highway workers and tow truck operators. It should also be a law that is passed federally and not just state to state.
McGibblets
8:28 am on Wednesday, May 16, 2012
"switch lanes or slow down"
Such a subjective law, in other words they can now pull anyone over for any reason if there is another officer or emergeny worker along side the road.
In the meantime, in spite of their lecturing us about safe speeds and responsible behavior, officers continue to drive well over the speed limit in non emergency situations while bullying other cars on the road to get out of their way all in the name of protect and serve.
Richard Hertz
7:49 pm on Wednesday, May 16, 2012
I guess if I slow down from a hundred to 90 I'm good.
As far as cops speeding, they're professional drivers, you know!
And maybe if they weren't pulling people over for ridiculous reasons there'd be fewer incidents. I was recently pulled over by an AA County cop for doing 6 miles over the speed limit. 36 in a 30 zone...at 10pm at night...with no other cars on the road. Yeah, the county is much safer with jerks like him on patrol...
DioDingo
10:28 am on Thursday, May 17, 2012
It said speed limit correct. So in fact if you were going 36 in a 30 zone you were breaking the law. As petty as it maybe, the facts are still the facts. 10pm- kids are out and you can't see because the sun is down. 10pm- maybe you had been drinking at happy hour and just now going home. You broke the law and he had the right to stop you. I got a ticket for 4 over in NC.
Chris B.
9:43 pm on Wednesday, May 16, 2012
I think you'd rather move over and let that cop speed by rather than have him follow you for miles and discover something wrong with your car or your driving...
Plus, it's important to remember, cops have to drive faster than traffic's pace. Otherwise they will cause conjestion because no cars will pass a police car.
So don't think of the cop as bullying other cars when passing them...think of it as them allowing a good pace of traffic and, in a sense, getting out of YOUR way.
McGibblets
7:06 am on Thursday, May 17, 2012
Chris:
Have you driven in congested traffic to the point where you cant leave your current lane, regardless of the 'eagerness' of a police officer in a non emergency situation? Frankly, I'd rather him abide by the same rules he's harassing me for.
Secondly, according to who? If there is a purpose of the speed limit then the intent of the officer is to get everyone to follow it, therefore he would be best suited for our and his own safety to simply drive constantly at the speed limit to reduce others' speeds. If it is a legit speed limit, as Karen seems to think all speed limits are, then one officer going over the limit is as equally wrong as one civillian. so it would be the speed limit itself that causes the congestion you speak of, or better yet obedience of said speed limit.
Lastly, if thats a 'good pace of traffic' why isnt it the actual speed limit then? Why is it the officer gets his own 'speed limit' that so kindly allows him to get out of OUR way.
Karen T
2:50 am on Thursday, May 17, 2012
Well, Mr. Hertz ... you were speeding. You were OVER the LIMIT. When you begin abusing such simple rules ... where do you draw the line? 37? 38? 40? It's called a speed LIMIT for a reason. You didn't mention if you received a warning or an actual ticket (just curious). Oh, and if you were ever going 100, you should be arrested.
Richard Hertz
10:02 am on Thursday, May 17, 2012
Give me a break. Do you feel safer with AA county cops sitting by the side of the road waiting to nail someone for going 6 mph over the limit? I don't. Personally, I'm not afraid of people exceeding the speed limit by a few mph. I want the cops out there protecting the citizens from real crimes...robbery, violence, etc. But it's easier, and safer, to sit on the side of the road waiting for the easy victims going 6 mph over the limit.
The line has been drawn at 10mph for decades.
And if the cops are going to cry about people not slowing down when they pass them on the shoulder maybe they should spend a little less time on the shoulder.
Calique
10:04 am on Thursday, May 17, 2012
"Richard Hertz" (LOL I see what you did there...),
Just because he told you that is why he pulled you over, it is quite possible that he was checking for other things, e.g., your seatbelt, chemical impairment, etc.
He may have observed you floating across your lane, you didn't even realize you did it, but he noticed and wanted to check your condition.
One never knows!
Richard Hertz
10:10 am on Thursday, May 17, 2012
It's also quite possible the cops are using speeding tickets as a gigantic revenue grab.
It certainly has nothing to do with safety...
DioDingo
10:34 am on Thursday, May 17, 2012
@Dick Hertz- don't drive, move to an other state or country and then you can not worry about all those pesky laws and taxes we pay to keep living in this wonderful country. Maybe you could just head to Montana and write angry letters to police/politicians about how they are wronging you by keeping the country moving forward and safe.
Calique
10:31 am on Thursday, May 17, 2012
Yeah, it DOES have to do with safety. No need to be bitter, you're just mad cuz you got caught.
Keep this incident in mind when you're going 80 down rt 100 (UNSAFE), or 40 in a 30 (ALSO UNSAFE).
Richard Hertz
11:05 am on Thursday, May 17, 2012
Baloney. It's all about money.
If speeding is so unsafe, why are cops allowed to do it (regardless of whether they're responding to a call or not....it's a rare occurrence to see a cop doing the speed limit...ever).
Danielmarxx
2:55 am on Thursday, February 28, 2013
That's exactly right. They must all be cut from the Obama cloth. And then there is talking on the cell phone while driving law. What a joke that is. Every time one passes me on 70 at 90 mph he's eating a do-nut (what a shock). drinking a hot beverage and talking on the cell phone. Probably make plans for the next softball tournament.