New 'Move Over Law' Effective October 1st 2013

Tuesday, October 1, 2013

Maryland State Police are reminding motorists to be aware of a new traffic law that took effect October 1st  2013 that require drivers to ‘move over,’ if possible, and are aimed at increasing safety for police, fire and emergency medical services personnel working on Maryland roadsides, as well as those riding bicycles or scooters.

The new law requires drivers approaching from the rear an emergency vehicle using visual signals while stopped on a highway to, if possible, ‘make a lane change into an available lane not immediately adjacent to the emergency vehicle.’ 

This movement should only be done if another lane in the same direction is available and the move can be made safely and without impeding other traffic.  If moving to another lane away from the stopped emergency vehicle is not possible, the law requires drivers to ‘slow to a reasonable and prudent speed that is safe for existing weather, road, and vehicular or pedestrian traffic conditions.’ The intent of the ‘move over’ law is to provide an extra barrier of safety for police officers, fire fighters, and emergency rescue personnel working along Maryland roads.                                                                                                                        

        Under Maryland Vehicle Law, emergency vehicles are defined as:

1. Vehicles of federal, state, or local law enforcement agencies.
2. Vehicles of volunteer fire companies, rescue squads, fire departments, the Maryland Institute for Emergency Medical Services Systems.
3. Vehicles of the Maryland Fire and Rescue Institute.
4. State vehicles used in response to oil or hazardous materials spills
5. State vehicles designated for emergency use by the Commissioner of Correction
6. Ambulances
7. Special vehicles funded or provided by federal, state, or local government and used for emergency or rescue purposes in Maryland