NORTH CAROLINA TOUGHENS MOVE-OVER LAW

Fines have increased under the North Carolina Move Over law, which requires motorists to slow down or move over for stopped emergency vehicles.

The fines will increase from $25 to $250. The law also is being changed to apply to tow truck drivers and Department of Transportation trucks in addition to law enforcement stopped along the side of the road.

Families for Roadside Safety, an organization based in Haywood County, lobbied for the stiffer penalties in hopes of bringing attention to the law and increasing compliance. The group formed in response to the deaths of two highway patrol troopers on Interstate 40 in Haywood County in less than 18 months. Both were stopped on the side of the interstate when another vehicle plowed into them. One motorist was killed in one of the incidents as well. About four years ago, a WLOS TV anchor was killed the same way. Her had car broken down and someone ran off the road and hit her while she was sitting in her car waiting for help to arrive.

Families for Roadside Safety conducted a short email survey regarding the Move Over Law earlier this year. Here's some of the questions and answers, as collected by Lara Feinberg of Waynesville, who spearheads Families For Roadside Safety.

Q: Have you noticed a trend in motorists moving over or reducing their speed when approaching your stopped vehicle (on the shoulder or at an accident scene)?

A: The majority seemed to answer "yes" but with definite need of a higher percentage of compliance.

Q: If you could name one area that you feel would reach the most motorists and/or truckers to promote the Move Over Law, where would that be (other than those listed in the previous question).

A: Responses included State Owned Vehicles, School Buses, Welcome Centers, High Schools, Media PSA's (TV, Radio, Newspaper), More Billboards, Internet Advertising, Including information with Driver's License Renewal or Vehicle Tax renewal.

Q: If you are a law enforcement officers, fire fighter, medic, tower, etc., how often do you feel as if you are coming within inches of being hit? Daily, weekly, monthly, etc.?

A: From EACH AND EVERY law enforcement officer, emergency worker and tow truck driver the answer was the same: "Weekly, if not daily."