The Truth:
A move over law requires motorists to slow
down, approach with caution or pull over when encountering an emergency
or law enforcement vehicle with flashing lights on the road. There
are such laws in most states throughout the United States.
Moveoveramerica.com,
referenced in the emails, is a
real web site that educates drivers on the need to slow down and move
over in order to protect law enforcement and emergency responders.
Fines for violations vary from state to state. Visitors to the
Move over America web site can check their local laws and fines simply
by clicking the link to their home state. Some states may fine violators as
low as $40, others have fines as high as $500 and include jail time.
The move over law is
not new in the state of California but it was amended on New Years Day,
2010. The fine for failure to approach with caution and not pass
on an adjacent lane of an emergency or law enforcement vehicle with flashing lights in the
Golden State is $50 according to California State Bill 240 which amended Section 21809 of the California State Vehicle Code .
Click for California State Bill 240.
Currently, there are
no move-over laws in Hawaii, New York, and Washington DC.
Some municipalities
may add an assessment fee to state fines which could increase fines
considerably.
A forwarded email
version gives the example of the sender's son returning from a Wal-mart
on Pleasant Hill who failed to change lanes while passing a police car
from Duluth, Georgia on the side of the road performing a routine
traffic stop. The email said the son was given a $745 fine, three
points on his driving record and mandated to court. The fine
in Georgia can go up to as much as $500 for this violation.
There is also a
petition box on the Move Over America web site for visitors to encourage legislators of states without move over laws to enact them .
updated 11/08/10
