ROADSHOW: NEW CALIFORNIA `MOVE OVER' LAW TELLS DRIVERS TO STEER CLEAR OF FREEWAY INCIDENTS

Respondersafety.com would like to thank Gary Richards, a Mercury News Staff Columnist for the following question and answer session on the new California Move-Over Law.

Q Does the new ``Move over'' law require motorists to move over one lane from where a freeway incident is occurring, whether in the left or right shoulder?

A Yes. The bill signed last week by Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger requires that a driver move one lane over from where the incident is occurring, whether in the left or right shoulder. If an emergency vehicle such as a California Highway Patrol car or tow truck is in the center median with its emergency lights flashing, drivers need to move out of the fast lane to their right. If it's on the shoulder to the right, then move out of the slow lane to your left. If, however, you cannot move over safely, then you must slow down -- which is why Sen. Joe Simitian, D-Palo Alto, named it the ``Move over, slow down'' law. The fine: $50.

Q Thank you for your brief column on the new ``Move over'' legislation. I am happy to say that I, too, am a Hayward resident like Daniel Leon, the tow truck driver who pressed for this law. He brings credit to our little burg, and I congratulate him. Two years ago, I took a 13,000-mile, two-month road trip and found myself in states with this type of legislation. It certainly felt more safe to me. In most places, there were pretty specific clues to how a driver should behave. If there are flashing lights, cones or an accident ahead, move over.