| Though a new Maryland law that requires drivers to "Move Over Or Slow Down", went into effect on October 1, 2010, most drivers have heard very little about it or may not even uderstand it, including Maryland emergency personnel. To make it more clear as to how this effects ALL drivers and emergency personnel, a reprint of the House Bill and an explanation have been included in this news story. The bill impacts all drivers on Maryland roads. The law applies when an emergency vehicle is stopped, standing or parked on a highway and is using signals (e.g. flashing lights). It is intended to protect Fire and Rescue vehicles/personnel, Ambulances and Police Officers.
Maryland House Bill 499: Motor Vehicles - Approaching Emergency Vehicles and Personnel
Unless otherwise directed by a police vehicle or a traffic control device, a driver of a motor vehicle approaching the emergency vehicle from the rear SHALL:
(1) If practicable and not otherwise prohibited by law, make a lane change into an available lane not immediately adjacent to the emergency vehicle, with due regard for safety and traffic conditions; or
[Explanation: A driver may proceed past the emergency vehicle in an authorized lane, leaving at least one lane between their vehicle and the emergency vehicle. This does not include the shoulder of the road since it is unlawful to drive on the shoulder of a roadway. If no lane exists, traffic shall stop unless directed by a police officer, traffic control device or emergency personnel directing traffic. Emergency vehicles include Fire and Rescue vehicles, Ambulances and Police vehicles.]
(2) If the driver of the motor vehicle is unable to make a lane change in accordance with (1), slow down to a reasonable and prudent speed that is safe for existing weather, road and vehicular or pedestrian traffic conditions.
[Explanation: Reasonable and prudent speed refers to a speed much slower than the speed limit. The intent is to reduce the speeds of drivers passing emergency vehicles and personnel so that if something should change in the lane the driver is using, the driver will have more time to control their vehicles, thus reducing the risk of injuring emergency personnel working on the scene of an incident.]
Drivers who are stopped for violation of this law will be charged with a moving violation and one (1) point and $80.00 fine. A maximum of three (3) points and a $150.00 fine can be levied if a collision is involved.
Though not an extensive law or even one that is precise in regards to how best to interpret the law, it is a good first step in protecting emergency personnel and vehicles against aggressive driving around emergency scenes. Hopefully, in the future, more detailed instructions or even a more detailed law will better explain how drivers are to react around emergency vehicles and personnel.
As a reminder to emergency personnel, this section of the motor vehicle law does NOT relieve the driver of an emergency vehicle from the duty to drive with due regard for the safety of all persons. |
