Pennsylvania’s new “Move Over Law” takes effect today, requiring drivers approaching any emergency response area to move to a lane further away and if they are unable to do so, to slow down to at least 20 miles per hour slower than the posted speed limit.
The law defines an emergency response area as anywhere that an emergency vehicle has its lights flashing, or where road crews or emergency responders have lighted flares, posted signs, or are trying to warn travelers of a situation.
The law imposes two points on the record of a driver who fails to comply, sets fines of $500 for first offenders, $1,000 for a second offense, and $2,000 for a third or subsequent offense. It also requires a 90-day license suspension for third offenders, and for those who cause an incident that seriously injures or kills someone, extending it to six months if the victim is an emergency service provider or was near a disabled vehicle. The fine also escalates to as much as $10,000 when someone is killed, and fines are doubled for certain traffic violations in an emergency response area.
A second, similar law also requires drivers to move over or slow down when approaching a stationary trash or recycling truck.
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