What Is The Move Over Law In Georgia?
Move Over Law Georgia’s Move Over Law says motorists travelling in the lane adjacent to the shoulder must move-over one lane when emergency and utility vehicles are stopped on the side of the highway and operating in an official capacity. Vehicles included in the law include all first responders (law enforcement, fire, EMS), utility vehicles, DOT vehicles, HERO Units and wreckers tending to an accident.
- The law is meant to keep officers AND traffic violators safe from crashes with passing cars.
- The Move Over Law was passed in the aftermath of growing numbers of police, emergency technicians and DOT workers being killed during routine traffic stops, crash responses and highway construction projects around the nation.
Right now, more than thirty states have Move Over Laws on the books, with fines that range as high as a thousand dollars or more in some jurisdictions. The Move Over fine in Georgia can be up to $500. Failure to obey the Move Over Law can lead to consequences far more serious than fines.
- According to FBI statistics, traffic crashes claim the lives of more police personnel than any other cause of death in the line of duty, including shootings.
- Reports show emergency vehicles of all types have been struck while parked beside Georgia highways, even while their emergency lights were flashing.
The Georgia Move Over Law requires drivers to move-over one lane when possible if an emergency vehicle with flashing lights is parked on the shoulder of the highway. And if traffic is too heavy to move-over safely, the law requires drivers to slow down below the posted speed limit instead AND to be prepared to stop.
Move Over Law Georgia’s Move Over Law says motorists travelling in the lane adjacent to the shoulder must move-over one lane when emergency and utility vehicles are stopped on the side of the highway and operating in an official capacity. Vehicles included in the law include all first responders (law enforcement, fire, EMS), utility vehicles, DOT vehicles, HERO Units and wreckers tending to an accident.
The law is meant to keep officers AND traffic violators safe from crashes with passing cars. The Move Over Law was passed in the aftermath of growing numbers of police, emergency technicians and DOT workers being killed during routine traffic stops, crash responses and highway construction projects around the nation.
Right now, more than thirty states have Move Over Laws on the books, with fines that range as high as a thousand dollars or more in some jurisdictions. The Move Over fine in Georgia can be up to $500. Failure to obey the Move Over Law can lead to consequences far more serious than fines.
- According to FBI statistics, traffic crashes claim the lives of more police personnel than any other cause of death in the line of duty, including shootings.
- Reports show emergency vehicles of all types have been struck while parked beside Georgia highways, even while their emergency lights were flashing.
The Georgia Move Over Law requires drivers to move-over one lane when possible if an emergency vehicle with flashing lights is parked on the shoulder of the highway. And if traffic is too heavy to move-over safely, the law requires drivers to slow down below the posted speed limit instead AND to be prepared to stop.
What is the a move over law?
Move Over Law in Georgia | Preventing Motor Vehicle Accidents March 20, 2020, A Move Over Law is a traffic rule that requires drivers to move over or slow down to accommodate stopped authorized emergency vehicles, such as ambulances and police cars.
Did you know Georgia’s move over law even existed?
Georgia’s “Move Over” Law: What You Need to Know | Williams Elleby 
Most of us know that when a police car, fire truck, or ambulance is traveling down the road with sirens blaring, the law requires us to slow down, yield the right of way, and move over to the shoulder of the road if possible. Upon the approach of an authorized emergency vehicle or police vehicle that is making use of its siren, all other drivers must: Yield the right of way and shall immediately drive to a position parallel to, and as close as possible to, the right-hand edge or curb of the roadway clear of any intersection and shall stop and remain in such position until the authorized emergency vehicle or law enforcement vehicle has passed, except when otherwise directed by a police officer.
- However, fewer people understand that they are also required to leave plenty of room when passing by police or emergency vehicles that are parked on the side of the road.
- This duty is defined by Georgia’s “Move Over” law, which is found in,
- A recent report by Atlanta news station found that many drivers were completely unaware that this law even existed.
Below is the essential information about Georgia’s Move Over law that every Georgia driver should know.
How much is a move over ticket in Georgia?
What is Georgia’s Move-Over Violation Traffic Law? Georgia’s move-over violation traffic law also known as the “Spencer Pass Law” requires that motorists on Georgia roadways move one lane over from emergency vehicles including HERO, EMS, law enforcement, fire department, Department of Transportation (DOT), and tow trucks that are stopped on the shoulder or in the roadway and operating in their official capacity.
Make a lane change into a lane not adjacent to the authorized emergency vehicle if possible in the existing safety and traffic conditions; or If a lane change under paragraph (1) of this subsection 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.
The operator of a motor vehicle approaching a stationary towing or recovery vehicle, a stationary highway maintenance vehicle, or a stationary utility service vehicle that is utilizing traffic cones or displaying flashing yellow, amber, white, or red lights shall approach the vehicle with due caution and shall, absent any other direction by a peace officer, proceed as follows:
Make a lane change into a lane not adjacent to the towing, recovery, highway maintenance, or utility service vehicle if possible in the existing safety and traffic conditions; or If a lane change under paragraph (1) of this subsection 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.
Fines for a violation of Georgia’s move-over traffic law can be up to $500.00 plus court costs and fees. In some jurisdictions the total fine amount could approach $1,000.00 depending on the circumstances surrounding the citation and the court’s additional surcharges.
- A conviction for violation of Georgia’s move-over traffic law will also put 3 points on your Georgia drivers license.
- Like all traffic violations within the State of Georgia, not knowing about the law is not a legal defense if you are cited for a violation of O.C.G.A.40-6-16.
- It is your responsibility to know all traffic laws as a driver on the roads of Georgia.
There are defenses to a move-over violation. The statute does allow for you to remain in the lane of travel next to the emergency vehicle if you are unable to move over due to current traffic conditions AND you reduce your speed to a reasonable and proper speed under the current road conditions.
That speed must be under the posted speed limit, but there is no specific amount your speed must be reduced. You just have to be at a speed that would allow you to stop your vehicle if instructed by a law enforcement officer. If you have any questions regarding Georgia’s move-over law, please reach out to me by phone or submitting a contact request form from the link at the top right of my website.
I would love to answer any questions you have regarding this law. : What is Georgia’s Move-Over Violation Traffic Law?
What happens if you get a ticket for the move over law?
O.C.G.A. § 40-6-16 is Georgia’s “Move Over” Law. It may also be referred to as the “Spencer Pass Law.” If you receive a ticket for violation of the Move Over Law, it may be listed as “Illegal Passing of an Emergency Vehicle.” This law was designed to protect emergency and utility workers parked on the sides of the highway.
The Move Over Law requires drivers approaching a parked certain vehicles with caution. Georgia’s Move Over Law is one of Georgia’s many traffic laws. A violation of a Georgia traffic law may seem like a trivial matter, but you face the possibility of a fine, points on your license, and increased insurance rates.
That’s not even to mention the possibility of spending a whole day sitting in court. Keep reading to find out more about how this law works, who it applies to, and why you should hire a qualified Georgia Traffic Law Attorney.
What are move over laws?
What are move over laws? – Move over laws require drivers to create a buffer zone for emergency vehicles and responders, including law enforcement, firemen, and paramedics. These laws are intended to protect emergency responders from being struck by passing vehicles while at the scene of an accident.
- The first move over laws in the United States were passed in the early 2000s after South Carolina paramedic James D.
- Garcia was struck and injured by a rubbernecking driver.
- Garcia was found at fault for the accident, and has worked tirelessly ever since for the passage of laws to protect emergency responders.
Garcia’s work paid off. As of 2021, every state has a move over law requiring drivers to proceed with caution when passing emergency scenes. However, violations still occur. According to the Emergency Responder Safety Institute, 44 emergency responders were struck and killed by vehicles in 2019 alone.
Did you know Georgia’s move over law even existed?
Georgia’s “Move Over” Law: What You Need to Know | Williams Elleby Most of us know that when a police car, fire truck, or ambulance is traveling down the road with sirens blaring, the law requires us to slow down, yield the right of way, and move over to the shoulder of the road if possible. Upon the approach of an authorized emergency vehicle or police vehicle that is making use of its siren, all other drivers must: Yield the right of way and shall immediately drive to a position parallel to, and as close as possible to, the right-hand edge or curb of the roadway clear of any intersection and shall stop and remain in such position until the authorized emergency vehicle or law enforcement vehicle has passed, except when otherwise directed by a police officer.
- However, fewer people understand that they are also required to leave plenty of room when passing by police or emergency vehicles that are parked on the side of the road.
- This duty is defined by Georgia’s “Move Over” law, which is found in,
- A recent report by Atlanta news station found that many drivers were completely unaware that this law even existed.
Below is the essential information about Georgia’s Move Over law that every Georgia driver should know.
What happens if you stop a car with flashing lights in Georgia?
What are the move over laws in Georgia? – Georgia’s move over law requires drivers approaching stationary emergency vehicles with flashing lights to change lanes if possible or slow down. Under Georgia Code, Title 40-6-16, drivers must either:
Change into a lane not adjacent to the emergency vehicle if it’s safe and possible to do so, or Slow down to a reasonable speed under the speed limit and be prepared to stop