Maryland: Police stress to motorists to move over for stopped vehicles

Maryland State Police are reminding drivers during "Move Over March" to slow down and move over when an officer is pulled over on the side of the road. The initiative started on the same day a vehicle hit a Maryland Transportation Authority police officer in Anne Arundel County. That officer was one of three people injured in the crash Tuesday night. All of them are now home recovering. Police said it's a reminder of how the move-over law protects everyone on the roads.

"This is clearly a huge example of why we need people to move over," MdTA police 1st Sgt. Jonathan Green said.

If obeyed, authorities said the law could have prevented the injuries in Tuesday night's crash. According to MdTA police, at about 6:15 p.m. on U.S. Route 50 at Whitehall Road, one of their officers had pulled to the shoulder to investigate reports of pedestrians on the highway. A Volvo hit the cruiser, which, in turn, hit the officer and one of the pedestrians.

"If this motorist had either slowed down or stayed in their lane or switched lanes, they would not have struck this vehicle. This officer would not be injured. This pedestrian would not be injured, and ultimately, the driver of the Volvo ended up being injured also," Green said.

It's a dangerous scenario that Maryland State Police said is playing out more frequently.

"The Maryland State Police has seen an increase, and also other law enforcement agencies across the state," Maryland State Police Cpl. DaVaughn Parker said.

It's an increase so alarming that in western Maryland, Parker said, the agency's commanders just kicked off a monthlong initiative on the ground with headquarters following suit on social media. The goal of "Move Over March" is to save lives.

"Being emergency personnel, our job is to make sure and ensure the Maryland roadways are safe. So that's our work area," Parker said.

All 50 states have a move-over law. In Maryland, violations can cost hundreds of dollars and points on a license.