One of the most dangerous places for emergency responders and maintenance personnel is along the side of the road. Each year hundreds of these hard working men and women are injured or killed by passing motorists while working along the nation’s highways
In 2009, Alabama passed a law (Move-Over Act) designed to protect law enforcement officers, emergency responders, tow operators and highway maintenance personnel who are conducting business on Alabama’s roadways. Alabama's "move-over" law requires motorists to move over and slow down when they encounter emergency responders stopped roadside with emergency signals activated.
It is called the Alabama Move-Over Law (Code of Alabama - Title 32: Motor Vehicles and Traffic - Section 32-5A-58.2) and the concept is simple. If a motorist sees a vehicle on the side of the road with its emergency lights flashing (red, blue and amber), the motorist is required to move out of the lane closest to the vehicle if possible. If not safe to move over, the driver shall slow to a speed that is at least 15 miles per hour less than the posted speed limit unless otherwise directed by a law enforcement officer.
A violation of the Move-Over Law is a misdemeanor punishable by a fine of twenty-five dollars ($25). Upon a second violation of this subsection, the fine shall be fifty dollars ($50). Upon a third or subsequent violation, the fine shall be one hundred dollars ($100).
Emergency personnel risk their lives every day to keep roadways safe. Alabama state law, Act 2009-557, helps protect law enforcement officers and other emergency responders by requiring motorist to move over when approaching emergency vehicles that are stopped with their flashing lights activated.
ON HIGHWAYS WITH TWO OR MORE LANES: |
ON TWO LANE HIGHWAYS |
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Most crashes that occur are Property Damage Only Crashes. As a way to reduce the impact of traffic flow, Alabama has passed Quick Clearance Laws that are designed to protect the safety of first responders and to ensure traffic resumes quickly when crashes occur.
There are two main parts to Quick Clearance Laws:
Driver removal or “Move It” Law: “Move It Law” requires motorists involved in minor crashes, where there are no serious injuries and the vehicle can be driven, to move their vehicles out of travel lanes to the shoulder or another safe area before initiating the exchange of insurance information.
Authority Removal or “Remove It” Law: “Remove It Law” gives authority to designated public agencies, such as the Alabama Department of Transportation and law enforcement, to remove disabled vehicles and spilled cargo from the roadway to restore traffic flow.
