In a bid to reinforce roadway safety measures, North Carolina officials have kicked off a campaign to raise awareness about the Move Over Law – a measure aimed to provide a buffer of safety for emergency and road workers. The N.C. Governor's Highway Safety Program, in collaboration with state and local law enforcement, is leading the charge to educate the public on the critical nature of this statute.
Under the Move Over Law, motorists are mandated to either shift over a lane or, when that isn't possible, to significantly reduce their speed when they encounter stopped emergency vehicles flashing blue, red, or amber lights on the roadsides. "Our emergency transportation and utility responders put themselves in harm's way each day to keep our roads safe," GHSP Director Mark Ezzell said, as detailed in NCDOT's press release. "The Move Over Law is not just a suggestion; it's the law, and a crucial component to ensure the safety of these responders and others."
Noncompliance with the Move Over Law is a serious offense in North Carolina, carrying with it a potential $250 fine. Offenders also risk misdemeanor or felony charges if their actions result in injury or property damage. This law serves as a shield for professionals such as law enforcement officers, emergency services workers, and folks laboring alongside the road with the N.C. Department of Transportation.
"Slowing down and moving over is a simple way to help protect law enforcement, first responders, and others who work on the roads at all hours of the day," Colonel Freddy Johnson Jr., the leader of the N.C. State Highway Patrol, elucidated. According to Johnson, emergency personnel are often found in hazardous situations, and their risk is significantly heightened when drivers choose to blatantly ignore the law. "Drivers really increase that risk for them when they ignore the flashing lights and don’t comply with the law," as detailed by NCDOT.
