You are driving on one of Georgia’s highways or byways and see the flashing lights of a police vehicle at the side/shoulder of the road and observe that some poor driver, also in the shoulder or side of the road, is going to be on the receiving end of a ticket. But you need to be alert and aware as Georgia’s Move Over Law mandates that in addition to slowing down, you must move over to the far lane to get as far away from the stopped vehicles as you possibly can and this applies not just to police cars, but emergency vehicles and DOT vehicles as well. If you absolutely cannot move over due to heavy traffic, the law dictates that drivers slow down below the posted speed limit and be prepared to stop.
You may wonder why this law is so important and why the fine imposed upon a driver who violates this law is so large. Too many policemen, DOT workers, paramedics and others who man emergency vehicles, have been injured or killed by distracted drivers passing by who somehow miss the flashing lights of these vehicles which are apparently not enough to protect those who are at the side of the highway. Not just workers but traffic violators and accident victims as well. By moving over appropriately, the risk of a crash is decreased and thus the chance of causing another crash or unintentionally striking an innocent person is reduced substantially.
The fines in Georgia for not moving over in accordance with this law are steep, up to $500. Its better to learn about this law now rather than learn the hard way, by receiving a ticket for not moving over or worse, causing injury or death to someone at the side of the road. Should you receive a ticket for violating Georgia’s Move Over Law, contact a Ga Move Over Law Attorney today to advise of your rights.
You can read the law below.
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:
1. Make a lane change into a lane not adjacent to the authorized emergency vehicle if possible in the existing safety and traffic conditions; or
2. 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:
1. 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
2. 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.
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