(PIKESVILLE, MD) – The Maryland Department of State Police, Maryland Department of Transportation, and the Maryland Transportation Authority urge motorists to remember the importance of moving over for vehicles and individuals on the side of the road ahead of National Move Over Day on Saturday, October 19. Maryland’s Move Over Law requires drivers to move over or slow down when approaching any stopped, standing or parked vehicle displaying warning signals, such as hazard lights, road flares, traffic cones or other emergency signals. The law is designed to protect all motorists traveling on Maryland roads. To enhance motorist awareness of the law, the Maryland Department of Transportation Motor Vehicle Administration's Highway Safety Office produced a compelling video that illustrates the dangerous proximity of vehicles when they fail to move over for a stopped vehicle on the shoulder. While the MVA’s Highway Safety office recommends avoiding unnecessary stops on roadways and shoulders, it can be inevitable for some road users – like law enforcement, tow truck operators, utility workers roadside assistance, and Coordinated Highways Action Response Team (CHART) team members. “In the video, and while out on the roads, we see just how closely vehicles pass those stopped on the shoulder. It is a stark reminder of the need for vigilance and compassion on the road to protect those stopped along the roads – it could be the difference between life and death,” said Maryland Transportation Secretary Paul J. Wiedefeld. “By moving over and slowing down, we can protect the lives of those who find themselves in vulnerable situations and create a safer environment for everyone.” In 2024, Maryland State Troopers have issued more than 7,000 citations and warnings for Move Over Law violations, reflecting ongoing statewide efforts to enforce the law and promote the importance of highway safety. Violating the law is a misdemeanor that carries a $110 fine and results in one point on the violator's driver’s license. If the violation leads to a crash, the fine increases to $150 and results in three points. In cases involving death or serious injury, the fine is $750 and results in three points on the license. "Safety on the road is a shared responsibility,” said Colonel Roland L. Butler, Jr., Superintendent of the Maryland Department of State Police. “Whether experiencing an emergency or responding to an emergency, the Move Over Law provides an extra barrier of safety for any motorist on the side of the road, including first responders, highway workers, tow truck drivers and any other utility workers who work to make our roads safer for everyone.” In 2018, Maryland became the eighth state to extend its Move Over Law to encompass all vehicles. Remember to move over or slow down to protect the lives of everyone on the road including our public safety professionals.
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