GEORGIA: BIBB DEPUTIES ASKING DRIVERS TO “MOVE OVER”
Bibb County sheriff’s deputies are asking drivers to remember to move over when a car is stopped is on the side of the road. At high speeds, distractions while driving can be deadly.
“You really need to pay attention to driving when you’re driving. Everything else is secondary,” Lt. Brad Wolfe, with the sheriff’s office’s traffic division, said. He says not paying attention on the road can lead to an accident.
The sheriff’s office posted a video on its Facebook page showing cars flying down the interstate nearly clipping a squad car. “Any type of emergency or service vehicle with their lights activated on the side of the road, you’re required to move over one lane,” Wolfe said. It’s part of the state’s “move over” law.
Wolfe says if you see someone pulled over onto a shoulder or on the side of the road, slow down or move over. “Slow down and take precaution rather than just keep on going at the speed you’re going,” Wolfe said.
The lieutenant says while the law isn’t difficult to enforce, officers’ top priority is helping during an emergency situation on the roads. “It’s just a matter of getting into traffic and getting those vehicles stopped because there are so many. Generally, you don’t have somebody that can sit back and wait to make that type of enforcement because they’re working the scene,” Lt. Wolfe said.
Because of the dangers, Wolfe warns if you happened to be stuck on the road, call 911.
“Get as far off that shoulder as you can. Don’t walk right up against the white line on the edge of the road. Get over where there’s a buffer,” he said.
…and don’t take any chances.
“It’s not worth it. Get some help out there. If you’re going to be late, then you’ll be late, but you’ll be alive,” Wolfe said.
He says failure to move over can result in to $500 in fines. He adds it’s important it’s important to be as cautious as possible while on the roadways.
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