Why is the new "Pull Over" motor vehicle law violation $764 bail and 3 points?

[bachir93]

The New 'Move Over' Traffic Law Few Know About 1-23-10

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.......

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. http://www.moveoveramerica.com/

My son got a ticket on Pleasant Hill coming back from Wal-Mart. police car (turned out it was 2 police cars) was on the side of the road giving a ticket to someone else. My son 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. My son and I 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. I do not know how much the fine is in CA but it is too stiff to not let you know Please let everyone you know that drives about this new law.

It is true (see details at the following web address).

http://www.snopes.com/politics/traffic/moveover.asp

[westbroc90]

Just to note, I am sure that this was NOT a citation in California. You say "on Pleasant Hill" which I guess is the name of a street, and you do not intend to reference the city of Pleasant Hill in California.

In fact, the link to moveoveramerica.com provides an incorrect description of California law. They show a bill as introduced, but it was extensively amended before it was passed. Vehicle Code section 21706.5 (which became law on January 1, 2007) simply provides that it is unlawful to operate a vehicle in an unsafe manner (meaning in a manner which violates a specific code section) within an emergency incident zone (which is within 500 feet of a stopped emergency vehicle with lights on, on the freeway, and on the same side of the road). California does NOT have any "move-over" law to my knowledge.

Violation of this law has a scheduled fine of about $330, and is one point with DMV.

[zacchaeus21]

Trust me if it wasn't true, there wouldn't be a ticket.

[jolie]

in CA i dont think they have a law like this. ive never seen or heard about it. it would be a really easy ticket to fight

[iomar]

I am sorry about your son getting a ticket however i am glad that this law has been put into affect. Even if only a couple cars obey its a couple less cars i have to worry about. $800 is nothing compared to a lost life of a firefighter, cop, paramedic, tow truck driver, or utility worker.

[jerard]

Because police and highway workers were getting killed by drivers that didn't move over.

In Kansas we already had a year for warning tickets on the new law, now you will get a real ticket for not pulling over. If a person doesn't know the law - they deserve to get a ticket. It is your responsibility as a driver to know the laws and obey them.

[gillivray5]

Notice:
This law doesn't affect those drivers with the sense to move over or drastically slow down regardless of what the law states.


The fine tends to be pretty high because of the amount of danger that is involved in flying by somebody in that situation. Not just the officers medics, firefighters, etc., but the people that they're dealing with.
Same thing with school and construction zones.

[calvert]

yes went into effect jan 1 2010

[bing49]

Here is the answer to the why: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Kgam2HIjgq8

But that fine was insane!

[fyfe]

To the Youtube video posted above- That cop should of been arrested for vandalism after punching that ladies car. And the lazy driver should be smacked for not getting out and helping.