Posted on 05/17/2010 7:40:31 PM PDT by Ron C.
This came in my email today.... but, the law has been in effect in CA since January 1 - with NO coverage by media that I have seen or heard! Here are the facts...
If a patrol car is pulled over to the side of the road, you have to change to the next lane (away from the stopped vehicle) or slow down by 20 mph. (Advise that you do both, if possible.)
Every state except Hawaii and Maryland and the D.C. has this law. In California, the "Move-over" law became operative on January 1, 2010.
My email said: "A friend's son got a ticket for this recently. A police car (turned out it was 2 police cars) was on the side of the road giving a ticket to someone else. He slowed down to pass but did not move into the other lane. The second police car immediately pulled him over and gave him a ticket. He had never heard of the law. It is a fairly new law that states if any emergency vehicle is on the side of the road, if you are able, you are to move into the far lane.
The cost of the ticket was $754, with 3 points on your license and a mandatory court appearance. Please let everyone you know that drives about this new law. It is true (see details at the following web address).
Hope this helps California FReepers avoid such huge fines - and exposes once again how poorly informed major media continues to keep the public at large.
Hmmm, we automatically do that here just to avoid hitting someone.
I think it’s ironic that when people see lights they slow down, just as we were all taught to do in drivers ed. But then the traffic reports smirkingly refer to them as being “rubberneckers.”
They started doing this in Mass. a few months ago. I think there are more traffic jams now that so many people are shuffling around to get over. (They already slow down to look.)
Never heard of such a thing!!!.....are you sure of that fee? That sounds bizarre!
The Washington State Patrol has been enforcing a similar law. I don’t think the fine is as high. Here you can slow down if it is impossible to change lanes.
I’ve seen some extremely close calls by people trying to comply. Why not just required drivers to take the next exit and remove both cars from being menaces to safety?
Didn’t know this - thanks for posting.
That could be very subjective, depending on the circumstances at the time. Was there another car in the other lane near you? If there was, could you prove it?
Keep Right Except To Pass
Basically it's saying that the law was passed in 2006 and implemented in 2007. The change that took effect in 2010 made the law permanent and added CalTrans trucks to the list of vehicles you must make way for, including police cars, fire engines, ambulances, and tow trucks. Basically if you see an emergency vehicle with lights flashing you must slow down and move to an adjacent lane if safe to do so. However, it says that the net fine is more in the range of $146 dollars and 1 point on your license.
I read somewhere that if you encounter a pull-over and turn your turn signal on (signaling intent) but can’t actually change lanes you’re good to go.
I’d prefer not to test it though!
Breaking News? or a hoax?
The “3 points” is the proof that this is a hoax. Driving over 100mph or vehicular manslaughter are worth 2 point.
I'm not doubting it, since all fines in CA have been doubled, tripled, and in some cases... much, much more! All to skin the public alive to help bail out the profligate spending of state and local official government.
I don't have the time to go find it at the moment, but later I'll post a list of the latest fees for typical fines - you won't believe those either! ~grim grin~
Now if I get stuck on the side of the road go ahead and buzz by doors it is OK.
PDs these days are generally working overtime to find new laws in which generally harmless white people can be somehow “criminalized” because generally harmless white people are generally harmless. Whereas, the actual criminals who cause real problems in society tend to shoot back.
I love how 4 year old chain emails morph into “BREAKING NEWS!”
I don't doubt that the fine may be as high as reported - simply because all fine have been drastically increased in the past few weeks! (muttering to self... I'll find that recent list published by my employer at some point in the next few hours....)
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