Move Over Law in effect starting Tuesday
Starting Tuesday, drivers who don’t move over at emergency sites will see increased penalties.
“The dangers can happen in the blink of an eye,” said Slippery Rock Fire Chief Ryan Hanchosky.
Pennsylvania’s Move Over Law, Act 105 of 2020, is a revision of its 2017 predecessor, and it goes into effect Tuesday, 180 days after it was signed Oct. 29.
The law requires drivers approaching an emergency response area to slow down at least 20 mph below the posted speed limit and to safely merge into a lane away from where the emergency vehicle sits.
According to the law, an emergency area is established when it has two of the following markings: vehicular hazard signal lamps; caution signs or other traffic control measures; or road flares.
Hanchosky said his crew also likes to deploy its tower truck, one of their biggest trucks, as a blocking unit, which should be pretty recognizable to the public. He said despite this, there are some who will ignore these signs and calls to slow down.
“We’re always going to treat the situation as if the worst can happen,” said Hanchosky. “I can replace a $1 million firetruck. I can’t replace one of my people’s lives.”
This is an excerpt from a larger article that appears in Tuesday's Butler Eagle. Subscribe online or in print to read the full article.
