PENNSYLVANIA PASSES MOVE-OVER LAW

Pennsylvania has enacted a new traffic law that goes into effect Friday September 7, 2006. It is expected to give better protection to police officers, tow-truck operators, highway workers and others who deal with non-emergency roadside situations in a professional or official capacity. The new law requires motorists to move over into the far lane, if possible, when they come upon a situation being dealt with on the berm of the highway. If they can’t move into the far lane, they must slow down to a safe speed.

Any responder must have emergency lights in use in these zones for this measure of enforcement to apply. Fines pf up to $250 may be levied under this law. Under the provision of Act 113 of 2006, motorists convicted of jeopardizing the safety of these individuals would face a range of fines of up to $250. Previous law carried a fine of $85.

Fines could be doubled if offenders are guilty of other infractions such as speeding, careless or reckless drivi ng, DUI or illegal passing. If a motorist would collide with an emergency responder during one of these roadside stops and cause serious injury or death, their driver’s license would be suspended for 90 days. "Previous law afforded protection only in a zone where an emergency was occurring.This new law will extend that protection to routine traffic stops by police and towing or other service of vehicles that have broken down, as well as maintenance and construction crews working along roadways.

Act 113 protection includes police officers, sheriffs, deputy sheriffs, coroners, deputy coroners, firefighters, fire police, fire marshals, medical examiners, deputy medical examiners, rescue personnel, ambulance personnel, towing and recovery personnel, highway maintenance and construction personnel, hazardous material response team members and emergency medical service personnel.