As of December 1, 2019, harsher penalties for those who violate the “Move Over” laws in North Carolina are going into effect. WLOS ABC News Channel 13 just reported on the issue. Under the new law that increases the penalties associated with violation of the “Move Over” law, drivers who fail to slow down or move over for stopped emergency vehicles that cause incidents that result in death or severe injury will face more severe punishment.
As of December 1, violating the law and injuring an emergency responder can actually result in prison time, regardless of whether or not the driver has ever had any other moving violations or a criminal record before.
Lumberton Police Officer Killed on I-95
These increased penalties come after a Lumberton Police Officer was struck and killed on I-95 last year. A passing vehicle hit the police officer, 31-year-old Jason Quick, while he was investigating a car crash. Quick was the eighth North Carolina police officer killed in action last year, and the sixth to die from a car crash. According to WLOS ABC News Channel 13, Quick left behind a wife and two young children.
“Move Over” Laws Protect First Responders
“Move Over” laws have been put into place to protect first responders and other roadside workers. If you see the flashing lights of a first responder’s vehicle, you need to move over a lane and slow down. If you can’t move over, you need to slow down to a safe speed before passing the area. First responders like police officers and paramedics have to work right beside busy traffic, but they still deserve to be safe.
Drivers are also required to move over for the flashing amber lights of utility vehicles too, so if you see flashing lights, make sure you move over and sow down so roadside workers can go home to their families at the end of the day.
Car Accidents in Asheville
The distracted driving epidemic has been particularly dangerous for roadside workers and just about everybody else on roadways in North Carolina and across the nation. If you have been injured by a distracted driver in an Asheville car accident, contact the skilled and proven team at Davis Law Group, P.A. at 828-303-2842 for a free case consultation today.