Move over!

[lumberjim]

http://www.moveoveramerica.com/

Move Over, America
More than 150 U.S. law enforcement officers have been killed since 1999 after being struck by vehicles along America's highways, according to the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund. To lower that deadly toll, a new coalition of traffic safety and law enforcement groups is launching a nationwide public awareness campaign to protect emergency personnel along our nation's roadsides.

"Move Over, America" is a partnership originally founded in 2007 by the National Safety Commission, the National Sheriffs' Association and the National Association of Police Organizations. Most recently, the partnership has also received the full support of the American Association of State Troopers. The campaign is the first nationally coordinated effort to educate Americans about "Move Over" laws and how they help protect the law enforcement officers who risk their lives protecting the public.

According to a national poll by Mason Dixon Polling & Research, sponsored by the National Safety Commission:

• 71 percent of Americans have not heard of “Move Over” laws;
• 86 percent support enacting “Move Over” laws in all 50 states; and
• 90 percent believe traffic stops and roadside emergencies are dangerous for law enforcement and first responders.

I didn't know it was a law....but I always do get over if possible. Apparently the fine is quite steep in NJ at $500....but only $85 in Pa....

[glatt]

I didn't know it was a law either. Sometimes, you can't move over. What are you supposed to do, come to a stop if you can't move over?

[glatt]

Fuck, I just looked up Virginia, and it's a class 1 misdemeanor here which means you can get a year in jail and a $2,500 fine.

[lumberjim]

Originally Posted by glatt

I didn't know it was a law either. Sometimes, you can't move over. What are you supposed to do, come to a stop if you can't move over?

slow down by 20MPH

[wolf]

Originally Posted by lumberjim

slow down by 20MPH

Don't most motorists do that automatically when they see flashing blue and red lights, or even just seeing what looks like a cop car?

[tw]

Originally Posted by glatt

Sometimes, you can't move over. What are you supposed to do, ...?

The source says, slow down at least 20 MPH below posted speed.

Even moving to the far side of your lane is important for so many reasons. For example, that tailgater cannot see the danger because he is too close. Moving makes it easier for him to see he is about to kill someone.

Signaling a lane change even if not changing lanes (and long before approaching the stopped vehicle) is what you should be doing to inform the five cars behind you. And to force cars in left lanes to move more leftmost - first in fear and second that gives you more maneuvering room.

What vehicles are the most irresponsible? From bike riding, the vehicles that most often move more left are cars and 18 wheel trucks. Largest SUVs are the worst and most aggressive offenders. So consistently that an SUV that does move over is noteworthy.

[TheMercenary]

We have that law here in GA. I think they enacted it about 2 years ago. At first they were setting up stings where they would have a car on the side with it's lights on and another car flagging people down and giving out tickets. They gave out about 30 tickets in a day until the public outcry stopped them since the law had just been enacted. The judge threw out all the cases but everyone got a warning. Now almost everyone pulls over or slows to a near crawl when there is a cop on the side of the road. I guess it is a good thing overall.

[Cloud]

Someone (a civilian) was just killed on our freeway this morning after getting out of her car to stop and render aid.

[Clodfobble]

Originally Posted by TheMercenary

At first they were setting up stings where they would have a car on the side with it's lights on and another car flagging people down and giving out tickets. They gave out about 30 tickets in a day until the public outcry stopped them since the law had just been enacted.

Around here, they set up stings for a month or two, but were deliberately only giving out warnings in the first place--they told everyone who got a warning to tell their friends about the new law.

[Juniper]

Yup, they got me about a year ago. Fortunately I got to take a class at the PD and had everything dismissed. I didn't know anything about it!

[lumberjim]

now you're a cyclist camel jockey??!

goddammit.

[Pete Zicato]

Originally Posted by lumberjim

now you're a cyclist camel jockey??!

goddammit.

What? You got a problem with bicycles?

[wolf]

Originally Posted by Pete Zicato

What? You got a problem with bicycles?

Yeah, buckwheat. I have never driven my car on a bike path, what are you doing on my road?

[Pete Zicato]

Originally Posted by wolf

Yeah, buckwheat. I have never driven my car on a bike path, what are you doing on my road?

I tell you what. As soon as bike paths go everywhere that roads do, I'll get off the road.

Originally Posted by Pennsylvania law

Section 3501. Applicability of traffic laws to pedalcycles.
(a) General rule. -- Every person riding a pedalcycle upon a roadway shall be granted all of the rights and shall be subject to all of the duties applicable to the driver of a vehicle by this title, except as to special provisions in this subchapter and except as to those provisions of this title which by their nature can have no application.

[lumberjim]

Originally Posted by Pete Zicato

I tell you what. As soon as bike paths go everywhere that roads do, I'll get off the road.

And I'll drive my big ass SUV through the park?

Cyclists who choose narrow winding roads with no shoulders to ride on deserve it when they get hit by cars. I'm not even kidding.