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Cranbury, N.J. - A coalition
of agencies promoted the new “Move Over
Law” at the State Police’s New
Jersey Turnpike Headquarters today to bring
attention to a recently enacted law protecting
roadside emergency workers. The outreach effort
marks the beginning of a public awareness
campaign to educate the state’s drivers
on the legislation, which was signed into
law by Gov. Jon S. Corzine on Jan. 27.
The coalition supporting today’s
Move Over Law event included the Office of
the Attorney General, the New Jersey State
Police, the Division of Highway Traffic Safety,
the New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission, the
Department of Transportation, the NJ Fire
and Emergency Medical Services Institute,
and AAA Clubs of New Jersey.
Public
education for the Move Over Law has begun
on a number of fronts. The Department of Transportation
is transmitting a message over their Highway
Advisory Radio (HAR) system telling motorists
about the new law. Variable message signs
on state highways and toll roads are pointing
drivers to the radio frequencies for those
messages. Today, the Office of the Attorney
General launched a new website with Move Over
Law information. This site will have links
on other state government websites. The web
address is www.moveoverlaw.com.
The new law requires motor
vehicle operators to reduce their speed and
change lanes when approaching authorized vehicles
displaying emergency lights. Such vehicles
include police, fire and medical services
vehicles, and also highway maintenance, tow
trucks and official motorist aid vehicles
displaying amber emergency lights. Where possible,
drivers are required to move over to create
an empty lane next to the emergency vehicle.
When safely changing lanes is not possible,
drivers must slow down below the posted speed
limit prior to passing emergency vehicles.
Drivers should also be prepared to stop, if
necessary.
“Motorists approaching
stationery flashing lights, whether an ambulance,
police, fire or tow truck, must heed the warning
and safely move over to another lane, or slow
down below the posted speed limit,”
said Division of Highway Traffic Safety Director
Pam Fischer. “Remember, emergency responders
are there to help. Give them the space they
need, so they can work safely.”
Major Matt Walker, who commands
troopers on the Turnpike, has seen more than
a few troopers and patrol vehicles hit by
passing motorists. He outlined the risks that
workers face while serving the public at roadside
emergencies. Walker mentioned a crash two
days ago (Monday) that injured a trooper on
a traffic stop on Route 78 in Hillside, Union
County. Nationwide since 1997, more than 150
law enforcement officers have been killed
after being struck by vehicles along America's
highways.
“New Jersey contains
some of the busiest highways in the nation,”
said Major Walker. “This law is a critical
step in protecting the very workers that are
protecting all motorists. But the second and
most important step involves drivers obeying
this law, and the State Police is ready to
‘encourage’ the public to do just
that.”
Walker added: “To borrow
a line from a law enforcement video, a Kevlar
vest can stop a speeding bullet, but it cannot
stop a speeding vehicle.”
Fines for violating this law
run from $100 to $500 and will be determined
by the municipal court in which the violator
is charged.
Fischer said a public service
message on the law will be distributed to
minor league ballparks and other outdoor recreational
venues this spring and summer. Posters with
information on the law are also being developed
for use by local and state law enforcement,
community, traffic safety and emergency responders
in New Jersey.
The New Jersey Motor Vehicle
Commission will incorporate provisions of
the law into their driver improvement program,
and will be sending literature to driver training
schools throughout the state. The agency will
also be updating driver testing materials
to reflect the new mandate.
“As with any new motor
vehicle law, educating our state’s drivers
is essential,” said MVC Deputy Chief
Administrator Shawn Sheekey. “Through
the use of the MVC’s educational tools,
such as the New Jersey Driver Manual, we will
be able share the Move Over message with a
very important segment of the driving population
- new drivers preparing for a lifetime behind
the wheel.”
"Motorists' best bet
is to merge safely away from emergency workers
in the shoulder, providing an empty lane of
protection while they work. Slowing down significantly
is the next best move if this is not possible,"
AAA Clubs of New Jersey spokesman David Weinstein
said. "AAA commends the Governor for
signing this safety measure into law and law
enforcement, particularly the New Jersey State
Police, for informing motorists and enforcing
the Move Over law, which acknowledges that
the safety of emergency workers on our roadways
is paramount."
“We are delighted to
see such a rapid and comprehensive response
to this important new law by so many agencies,”
said Paul Roman, president of the NJ Fire
and Emergency Medical Services Institute.
“Our effort will surely result in saved
lives and safer working conditions for thousands
of emergency response personnel in our state,
many of whom are civilian volunteers.”
New Jersey is the 44th state
to pass a Move Over Law. Thirty of those states,
including New Jersey, include tow trucks and
highway maintenance vehicles as part of the
move over requirement. New Jersey was among
seven states in 2008 to move a bill like this.
Additional
public education materials can also be found
on the Division’s web site, at www.njsaferoads.com/move-over-law
. The full text of the Move Over statute follows:
New Jersey Statute 39:4-92.2
Procedure for motorist approaching stationary
authorized emergency vehicle, tow truck, highway
maintenance or emergency service vehicle.
1. a. The operator of a motor vehicle approaching
a stationary authorized emergency vehicle
as defined in R.S.39:1-1 that is displaying
a flashing, blinking or alternating red or
blue light or, any configuration of lights
containing one of these colors, shall approach
the authorized emergency vehicle with due
caution and shall, absent any other direction
by a law enforcement officer, proceed as follows:
(1) Make a lane change into a lane not adjacent
to the authorized emergency vehicle if possible
in the existing safety and traffic conditions;
or
(2) If a lane change pursuant to paragraph
(1) of subsection a. of this section would
be impossible, prohibited by law or unsafe,
reduce the speed of the motor vehicle to a
reasonable and proper speed for the existing
road and traffic conditions, which speed shall
be less than the posted speed limit, and be
prepared to stop.
b. The operator of a motor vehicle approaching
a stationary tow truck as defined in section
1 of P.L.1999, c.396 (C.39:3-84.6) that is
displaying a flashing amber light or a stationary
highway maintenance or emergency service vehicle
that is operated by the State, an authority
or a county or municipality and displaying
flashing yellow, amber, or red lights shall
approach the vehicle with due caution and
shall, absent any other direction by a law
enforcement officer, proceed as follows:
(1) Make a lane change into a lane not adjacent
to the tow truck or highway maintenance or
emergency service vehicle if possible in the
existing safety and traffic conditions; or
(2) If a lane change under paragraph (1) of
subsection b. of this section would be impossible,
prohibited by law or unsafe, reduce the speed
of the motor vehicle to a reasonable and proper
speed for the existing road and traffic conditions,
which speed shall be less than the posted
speed limit, and be prepared to stop.
c. A violation of this section shall be punished
by a fine of not less than $100 and not more
than $500.
L. 2009, c.5, s.1.
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