Understanding Pennsylvania’s Move Over Law
The PA Move Over Law requires drivers to slow down or change lanes when passing an emergency response area. Understanding the Move Over Law ensures that drivers know how to act while passing an accident scene or police officer performing a traffic stop, and it allows them to reduce the risk of accidents and avoid significant penalties.
Why the Move Over Law Matters
Car accidents are a major risk for police officers during traffic stops. This is also a concern for disabled vehicles and first responders dealing with car accidents. The Move Over Law is intended to reduce the chance of these accidents by requiring drivers to use extra caution in these areas. Being familiar with this law lets drivers stay safe and avoid fines and other penalties. Fines can be increased and effective speed limits lowered in emergency response areas, so drivers need to understand the Move Over Law to avoid legal consequences for breaking it.
Key Provisions of the Move Over Law
What is the Move Over Law? The law requires drivers to move into the left lane when passing an emergency response area if they can do so safely. This leaves the full right lane as a buffer space between the first responders and regular traffic. If traffic or other conditions do not allow a driver to change lanes safely, they need to slow down to 20 mph, lower than the regular speed limit at the fastest. For example, if a driver is passing an accident on a highway with a 65 mph speed limit, they need to slow down to a maximum of 45 mph if they stay in the right lane. The law defines an emergency response area as an area where either an emergency vehicle, like an ambulance has its lights flashing or a road crew or first responders have set up signs or flares.
Penalties for Violating the Move Over Law
Violating the PA Move Over Law can come with serious consequences. The specific penalties will depend on whether the driver is a first-time offender or has broken the Move Over Law before, as well as whether the violation actually caused an accident or not. For a first offense, a driver can get two points on their record and a $500 fine. When a Pennsylvania driver accumulates six points, they can be required to attend Driver Improvement School or take an additional exam, and their driver’s license could be suspended. For a second offense, drivers can owe a fine of $1000 or more. For a third offense, drivers can owe a $2000 fine and have their driver’s licenses suspended for 90 days. If violating the law causes an accident that leads to an injury or death, the driver can face a $10,000 fine and a six-month driver’s license suspension. Fines can also be doubled for drivers who break other traffic laws in an emergency response area. Causing a fatal accident or one that injures someone else also means that the deceased person’s relatives or the injured person could sue the responsible driver.
Contact Flager & Associates for All Your Legal Needs
Violating Pennsylvania’s Move Over Law can come with substantial penalties, so it’s important for all drivers to be familiar with the rule. Violations of traffic laws, whether by you or another driver, will also have a significant impact on your case if you need to file a personal injury lawsuit after an accident. Flager & Associates is here to answer your questions and help with all your legal needs. If you were injured in an accident, contact us to discuss your options today.
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