North Carolina Move Over Law Is Broadened

With a rash of tragic accidents resulting in serious injuries or fatalities to those people who have to work near or on North Carolina roadways, there are plans to broaden the state’s Move-Over Law.

Originally, the North Carolina Move-Over Law was passed some 11 years ago to help protect police, firefighters, ambulances and other vehicles that exhibited red or blue colored flashing lights at an accident scene. Motorists were required to move over into another lane, if it could be done safely, to provide extra room and safety for emergency personnel who were near the lanes of speeding vehicles.

The new broadened version of the Move-Over Law, which was adopted in June 2012 by the General Assembly, became effective on Monday, October 1, 2012. The expanded version now requires motorists to change lanes and move over, as they approach road maintenance or utility crews, tow trucks and other vehicles that exhibit flashing amber lights.

Under the law, motorists are required to move over a minimum of one lane, when there are two or more lanes going in each direction. Obviously this means moving over at least one lane, when it can be done safely. When there is only one lane of traffic going in each direction, motorists are required to slow down and be prepared to stop. The fine for violating the Move-Over Law is $250, plus court costs.

There are 47 states which have some type of law requiring motorists to slow down and move over, if it is possible to do so safely, to avoid police cars, ambulances, fire trucks and other emergency response units stopped near or on the roadways.

Unfortunately, motorists continue to have accidents with police officers, construction crew workers, utility workers, surveyors, tow truck drivers and other emergency responders, seriously injuring them or causing the loss of lives.

In August 2012, there were two North Carolina Department of Transportation (NCDOT) workers killed after a vehicle lost control and went into a construction area near Murphy. Another similar accident in May 2012, left two people dead and another seriously injured in Yancey County. A North Carolina Highway Patrol Trooper was seriously injured in September 2012, when his vehicle was struck from behind while he was performing a routine traffic stop in Madison County. Finally, another NCDOT worker was killed on October 2, 2012 when he was struck by a vehicle as he was trying to remove a tree that had fallen across a roadway in Watauga County.

If you or someone you know have suffered serious injuries or lost loved ones because of a motorist who has violated the North Carolina Move-Over Law, it is important for you to contact an experienced North Carolina car accident attorney.

Auger & Auger is a Charlotte, North Carolina law firm experienced in handling serious personal injury cases and fatalities. Its attorneys have almost 40 years of collective experience in personal injury cases, including automobile accidents and wrongful death cases.

In addition to having three offices in Charlotte, we have offices in Greensboro and Raleigh, for your convenience.

Contact us for a no obligation consultation to discuss your case. Our firm handles cases on a contingency basis, which means you owe us no fee unless we get you a recovery.

Other Resources:

NCDOT Road Rules

‘Move Over’ Law Expands in North Carolina, Asheville Citzien-Times.com, Article by Gary D. Robertson, October 1, 2012

Related Blog Posts:

One Worker Killed, Another Injured At Construction Job in Greenville County, North Carolina Personal Injury Lawyer Blog, June 18, 2012

AAA Carolinas Study Reveals Safest and Most Dangerous Counties For Accidents, North Carolina Car Accident Attorney Blog, August 16, 2012