Georgia: Dramatic Video: Driver Fails to Move Over, Hits Marietta Police and Fire Vehicles
A Marietta police car was struck by a driver who failed to move one lane over while police and fire personnel were working an accident. The crash happened around 2 am Sunday morning on I-75. Police say the vehicle hit both the patrol car and a Marietta fire truck.
The officer was not in his vehicle when the accident happened, and no other injuries were reported. Here is Georgia’s law requiring motorists to move over one lane when approaching police or fire vehicles: Move-Over-Law: Georgia Code, Title 40-6-16.
A. The operator of a motor vehicle approaching a stationary authorized emergency vehicle that is displaying flashing yellow, amber, white, red, or blue lights shall approach the authorized emergency vehicle with due caution and shall, absent any other direction by a peace officer, proceed as follows:
Make a lane change into a lane not adjacent to the authorized emergency vehicle if possible in the existing safety and traffic conditions; or
If a lane change under paragraph (1) of this subsection would be impossible, prohibited by law, or unsafe, reduce the speed of the motor vehicle to a reasonable and proper speed for the existing road and traffic conditions, which speed shall be less than the posted speed limit, and be prepared to stop.
B. The operator of a motor vehicle approaching a stationary towing or recovery vehicle or a stationary highway maintenance vehicle that is displaying flashing yellow, amber, or red lights shall approach the vehicle with due caution and shall, absent any other direction by a peace officer, proceed as follows:
Make a lane change into a lane not adjacent to the towing, recovery, or highway maintenance vehicle if possible in the existing safety and traffic conditions; or
If a lane change under paragraph (1) of this subsection would be impossible, prohibited by law, or unsafe, reduce the speed of the motor vehicle to a reasonable and proper speed for the existing road and traffic conditions, which speed shall be less than the posted speed limit, and be prepared to stop.
C . Violation of subsection (a) or (b) of this Code section shall be punished by a fine of not more than $500.00.