Maryland authorities to step up enforcement of Move Over Initiative
Maryland State Police and the Washington County Sheriff’s Office have designated the month of October to focus on the state's Move Over Initiative. The goal of the initiative is to get motorists to move over and slow down when there are emergency operations being conducted on the highway, according to Lt. Joe George, commander of the state police barrack south of Hagerstown.
He said in a news release that failing to move over could result in a life-altering event for those involved. Since the law took effect in October 2010, authorities have had numerous educational initiatives with limited results.
Motorists who are stopped for violating the law should expect a citation, especially if they already have received a warning. A violation of the law is a primary offense, and carries a fine of $110 and one point.
If the violation contributes to a traffic crash, the fine is $150 and three points. The fine is $750 and three points if the violation contributes to a traffic crash that results in death or serious injury.
In 2016, 38 Maryland state troopers and/or their vehicles were struck by vehicles that failed to move over. In some cases, troopers were seriously injured.
The law requires drivers approaching from the rear of an emergency vehicle that is using visual signals while stopped on a highway to, if possible, "make a lane change into an available lane not immediately adjacent to the emergency vehicle."
The movement only should be done if another lane in the same direction is available, and the move can be made safely and without impeding other traffic.
If moving to another lane away from the stopped emergency vehicle is impossible, the law requires drivers to "slow to a reasonable and prudent speed that is safe for existing weather, road, and vehicular or pedestrian traffic conditions."
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