Move Over! Or Get Pulled Over!

Ever heard of Maryland’s “Move Over” Law? Probably not. And you aren’t the only one.

Most states have laws that few people know about, but which could land you in Court with a big fat ticket. The “move over” law is just such a law in Maryland.

The law is actually a great idea. It is designed to protect police and other emergency responders on our roadways. It does this by forcing motorists to move over to the adjacent lane if they can do so when passing an emergency vehicle.

And in 2018, the law has been changed to add even more vehicles to the list of those you have to move over for.

There have been a couple of tragic incidents recently caused by people not following the law, which points out the need to raise awareness. You should be aware, and forward this to other friends who may not.

It could save a life, and save you or a friend from needing to hire a criminal defense attorney.

What is the Move Over Law?

The Move Over Law originally applied to drivers approaching an emergency vehicle that is pulled over and has it’s lights on. Now it has been expanded to include transportation service vehicles, utility vehicles, trash trucks, and recycling trucks.

Basically, you can assume the law covers any truck or car pulled over on the side of the road with lights flashing.

The law requires you to “make a lane change into an available lane not immediately adjacent to the emergency vehicle.” In other words, move over one lane when you approach any emergency vehicle pulled over on the side of the road. This gives them an extra measure of safety while working on our very fast and dangerous highways.

The law only applies if there is another lane available in the same direction you are driving, so don’t get in the oncoming lane just because of this law.

And it only applies if you can safely make the move without impeding traffic. If you cannot make the move, the law requires you to “slow to a reasonable and prudent speed that is safe for existing road, weather, and vehicular or pedestrian traffic conditions.”

I know most of us do this simply as a courtesy. But not everyone does it, and maybe raising awareness of this law will cause more drivers to move over when police have pulled over on the side of the road.

Nationally, 150 law enforcement officers have been killed between 1999 and 2013 after being struck by vehicles. In Maryland during 2012, two police officers went to shock trauma after accidents that occurred while they had pulled over a motorist, and another driver hit them because they didn’t move over a lane. Imagine that nightmare for a moment.

And there have been accidents where utility workers were killed on the side of the road too.

Violation of the law may result in a fine of $110 and one point on your license.  But if you cause an accident by failing to move over, fines will be the least of your concerns.

However, you should know that if your violation does contribute to an accident, you could get a $150 fine and 3 points. And if that accident results in death or serious injury, then you get $750 plus the 3 points.

I can assure you if that last possibility occurs, you will pay a heck of a lot more than that in raised insurance rates, fees for your criminal defense lawyer, future psychiatric care, and more.

Conclusion & Next Steps

So, moving over, as long as it is safe to do, is a no brainer. And if you cannot move over, you need to remember to slow down while passing an emergency vehicle. It’s not just a courtesy anymore. It is the law in Maryland.

Want to know more? Discover what you need to know about Maryland criminal defense cases. Click here to see our Free Legal Consumer Guide to Criminal Law in Maryland and get answers to your questions today. Know your options. Be informed. Protect yourself.

Need a criminal defense attorney? Please contact us for a consultation today if you need an experienced criminal defense lawyer in Waldorf and Lexington Park for your criminal charge.

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