Pennsylvania State Police will be operating along the “6-State Trooper Project” for enforcement of the Move Over Law this week. Police said the high-visibility enforcement began Monday and will continue through Saturday.
As reported by wtae.com the enforcement also includes the Ohio State Highway Patrol and state police from West Virginia, Kentucky, Indiana and Michigan.
Pennsylvania’s Move Over Law requires drivers approaching an emergency response area to move one lane from the area. Drivers who are unable to safely merge into a lane further away from the response area are to slow to at least 20 mph less than the posted speed limit.
Pennsylvania State Trooper Anthony Petroski the application of the law will be strict. “We have a zero-tolerance policy for the ‘Steer clear’ and ‘Move Over’ laws. What these laws do is protect people, save lives, for emergency responders or anyone pulled over in a disabled vehicle. So, it protects them, and it protects us.”
“The Move Over law in Pennsylvania has gotten stricter this year with new law updates, it’s a $500 first offense, $ 1,000 (for the) second offense, and for a third or subsequent, it’s a $2,000 fine and 90-day driver’s license suspension,” explained Petroski.
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An emergency response area is defined in the state as an area where an emergency vehicle has its lights flashing, or where road crews or emergency responders have lighted flares, posted signs or try to warn travelers.
Other violations
As part of the Move Over enforcement police said they will also be watching for distracted, aggressive and intoxicated drivers, and will be enforcing the following violations of the vehicle code:
- Texting while driving
- Handheld mobile phone
- Prohibiting use of hearing impairment devices
- Prohibiting text-based communications
- Careless driving
- Reckless driving
- Image display device
Trooper Petroski said the Move Over law saves lives and protects first responders allowing them to keep the roads safe here in the commonwealth.
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