Georgia: Police cracking down on drivers violating move over law

Roswell police are cracking down on people who don't move over when they pass a traffic stop.

When officers and other first responders are working on the side of the road, the last thing they want to see is a car flying by just inches away from their face. But they say it happens all too frequently.

Channel 2’s Mike Petchenik rode along with officers Tuesday as they ticketed people for breaking the Move Over law.

Officers say they pulled over more than 100 cars and wrote about 45 tickets Tuesday.

Our cameras recorded a car driving within inches of police out on a traffic stop on Holcomb Bridge Road.

“Many times, I’ve almost been hit,” said Officer Zach Fromer.

Frommer says a law enacted more than a decade ago is designed to protect first responders, but he says many people don't follow it.

“When they see a police car or any kind of emergency vehicle on the side, they're supposed to move over a lane if possible, if safe to do so, and if they're not able to move, slow down, be prepared to stop,” Frommer said.

In 2011, a HERO driver died on Interstate 85 after police say a driver hit him while he helped a stranded vehicle. Just a few weeks ago, police say a drunk driver hit a HERO driver.

“They've had some unfortunate deaths when people didn't move over and didn't pay attention,” driver Reg Brown said.

They stress the Move Over law applies to surface streets and interstates.

“If it's the Move Over law, it makes sense. You've got to make sure the cop, whoever they have pulled over, is safe and everything,” said driver Jeff Herrick.

Officers will be back out Wednesday doing more enforcement.

“It helps keep police officers, firefighters, paramedics, all emergency workers and people who work in the roadway safer,” Frommer said.