According to the National Highway Transportation Safety Administration, all 50 states have enacted laws commonly known as “move over” laws. Unfortunately, 71% of drivers are unaware that move over laws exist. Georgia’s move over law requires a driver to move over one lane to the left when approaching an emergency vehicle with flashing lights. If unable to move over, the driver should decrease their speed to under the posted speed limit. The move over law includes vehicles such as emergency vehicles, like police cars, fire trucks, and ambulances. It also covers other vehicles such as tow trucks, highway maintenance vehicles, and other vehicles with flashing yellow lights. The fine for failing to follow the move over law can be up to $500.
Fox 5 Atlanta reports that a Cobb County Police officer and a citizen were injured in a crash that took place during a traffic stop.
The Cobb County Police Department is reminding motorists of the importance of following the state’s “Move Over” law. The reminder comes after a Cobb County Police officer and another motorist were injured in a crash that occurred as the officer was making a traffic stop.
The crash occurred overnight on Sunday. The officer was making a traffic stop on South Cobb Drive at Barclay Circle. Another motorist plowed into the rear of the officer’s vehicle.
Both the driver who crashed into the police vehicle and the citizen who was being pulled over were taken to a hospital with non-life-threatening injuries. Cobb County Police released a picture of the back of the patrol car and the front of the other car.
Drivers are reminded that when they see emergency vehicles working on the road to slow down and move over a lane whenever possible. They did not say if the other driver would be facing any charges.
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