*** County-Wide “Move Over Law” Education Initiative This Weekend ***

 

The  Lacey Township Police Department will be participating in a county-wide education initiative specific to the Move Over Law this coming Labor Day weekend.

In the light of a recent event in Manchester Township, NJ, where four (4) Police Officers on a roadside motor vehicle stop/search were injured after the vehicle they had stopped was struck by another motorist, Ocean County Law Enforcement Agencies will be participating in a “Move Over Operation” which will be designed to educate the motoring public on the law.

The Move Over Law was born for the tragic death of a New Jersey State Trooper, Marc Castellano who was killed on I-195.

“The Move Over Law requires a driver approaching a stationary emergency vehicle with flashing, blinking or alternating red or blue lights to do so cautiously and, if possible based on the existing safety and traffic conditions, “make a lane change into a lane not adjacent to the . . . emergency vehicle.”

The Law:

New Jersey Statute 39:4-92.2

Procedure for motorist approaching certain stationary 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, 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, or a stationary sanitation vehicle displaying a flashing amber warning light pursuant to section 1 of P.L.2011, c.3 (C.39:3-54.27) 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, highway maintenance or emergency service vehicle, or sanitation 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.

For those unfamiliar with the Move Over Law’s history please take a few moments to visit the below link.

http://octrafficsafety.org/move-over-law/

-Chief Michael C. DiBella