'Move Over' legislation on driving procedures regarding roadside vehicles

[MyCentralJersey]

Officials promoting 'Move Over' legislation on driving procedures regarding roadside vehicles
STAFF REPORT • March 25, 2009

CRANBURY — A coalition of agencies are promoting the new "Move Over Law" that protects roadside emergency workers and requires motorists to slow down and change lanes when approaching authorized vehicles displaying emergency lights.

On Wednesday, officials met at the state police's New Jersey Turnpike headquarters to start a public awareness campaign to educate the state's drivers on the legislation, which was signed into law Jan. 27 by Gov. Jon S. Corzine, according to officials.

The law requires motorists to reduce their speed and change lanes when approaching authorized vehicles displaying emergency lights. Those vehicles can include police, fire and medical services vehicles, as well as highway maintenance, tow trucks and official motorist aid vehicles displaying amber emergency lights.

Where possible, drivers are required to move over to create an empty lane next to the emergency vehicle, according to a state police statement. When changing lanes is not possible, drivers must be traveling at a speed that is less than the posted speed limit before passing an emergency vehicle.

Since 1997, more than 150 law enforcement officers nationwide have been killed after being struck by vehicles along America's highways, according to the state police.

Fines for violating the law range from $100 to $500 and will be determined by the municipal court in which a person is charged, according to police.

In a statement, officials said public education for the law will include messages transmitted over the state Department of Transportation's Highway Advisory Radio system and signs on state highways and toll roads that point drivers to the radio frequencies for those messages.

Officials said a public service message on the law will be distributed to minor league ballparks and other outdoor venues this spring and summer.

Informational posters are being developed, and the state Motor Vehicle Commission will incorporate provisions of the law into its driver improvement program and driver testing materials. Driver training schools throughout the state also will receive information about the law.

"We are delighted to see such a rapid and comprehensive response to this important new law by so many agencies," Paul Roman, president of the New Jersey Fire & Emergency Medical Services Institute, said in a statement. "Our effort will surely result in saved lives and safer working conditions for thousands of emergency response personnel in our state, many of whom are civilian volunteers."

New Jersey is the 44th state to pass a Move Over Law. Thirty of those states, including New Jersey, include tow trucks and highway maintenance vehicles as part of the requirement.

For more information, go to www.moveoverlaw.com.

http://www.mycentraljersey.com/article/20090325/NEWS/903250333/1003/newsfront