POLICE CHIEF SPOTLIGHTS MOVE-OVER LAW

If your Holiday plans include traveling by automobile, please keep in mind that Tennessee has a "move over" law. The Governor's office has recently sponsored public service announcements informing citizens of the law. As you travel Tennessee's interstate system you will notice signs posted along the way directing motorists to move over for emergency vehicles. These signs have a yellow topper indicating this is state law. Tennessee Code Annotated ? 55-8-132 (b) states "Upon approaching a stationary authorized emergency vehicle, a person who drives an approaching vehicle shall (1) Proceeding with due caution, yield the right-of-way by making a lane change into a lane not adjacent to that of the authorized emergency vehicle, if possible with due regard to safety and traffic conditions and (2) reduce the speed of the vehicle, maintaining a safe speed for road conditions, if changing lanes would be impossible or unsafe".

Simply stated the law directs motorists to change lanes so that an empty lane is between the emergency personnel and the passing vehicles. If it is not safe to change lanes, simply slow down to a safe speed as you pass the emergency vehicles/personnel. When driving inside the city limits, this law is applicable on multi-lane roads such as Keith Street, Paul Huff Parkway or Stuart Road and applies when maintenance vehicles (city, county or state) and wreckers are present.

This same law instructs motorists on the correct procedure when being approached by emergency vehicles. According to Tennessee Code Annotated ? 55-8-132 (1) "The driver of every other vehicle shall yield the right-of-way and shall immediately drive to a position parallel to, and as close as possible to, the right-hand edge or curb of the roadway clear of any intersection, and shall stop and remain in such position until the authorized emergency vehicle has passed, except when otherwise directed by a police officer".

This means you must yield the right-of-way to a police vehicle, fire engine, ambulance or other emergency vehicle using a siren, air horn or a red or blue flashing light. If you are in an intersection, drive on through the intersection before you pull over. Do not block a side road when you pull over to the right. If you are at a traffic light and the light is red when an emergency vehicle is approaching, stay where you are. If the light turns green before the emergency vehicle has passed, do not proceed on green; wait on the emergency vehicle to pass.

A violation of this law is a Class C misdemeanor.

TRAFFIC TIP Four (4) DUI arrests were made at the scene of motor vehicle crashes during October 2006. Please don't drink and drive.

SAFETY TIPS, TRENDS AND SURVEYS Ladies, while you're shopping this Christmas season, carry your purse close to your body, not dangling by the straps.