Beware! Move Over Law Expanding

We all know by now about our State’s “Move Over” law.  Basically, General Statute 20-157(f) mandates that when an emergency vehicle is parked on the side of a roadway while emitting a warning signal, any driver passing by must move over to an outside lane or slow down if a lane change may not be made safely.  This law was wisely enacted mainly to provide more safety for our law enforcement officers while performing traffic stops.  The law has been expanded previously to include utility vehicles like electrical, telephone, gas, and cable television service trucks and State-owned highway maintenance vehicles.   

Now, the “Move Over” law has been expanded even more.  Beginning October 1, 2015, the statute will not only include a duty to move over for emergency, utility, and maintenance vehicles but also for vehicles used in the “collection of refuse, solid waste or recycling.”

Violating the “Move Over” law could result in a conviction for a moving offense, which could place a driver’s privilege to drive in jeopardy and could cause an increase in insurance premiums.

  -Mark Herring is a partner with White & Allen, P.A. and routinely handles all types of criminal court matters, including traffic offenses and driving while impaired charges.