LA PLATA, Maryland— The Maryland State Police La Plata Barracks, in partnership with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), Maryland Highway Safety Office (MHSO) and our local allied law enforcement partners, will conduct law enforcement efforts to help educate drivers about the move from Maryland. Above the law. Maryland’s Move Over law can be summarized as follows:

Maryland Transportation Section § 21-405

Maryland’s “Move Over” laws require drivers approaching from the rear of an emergency vehicle to use visual signals when stopped on a freeway to, if possible, make a lane change into a available lane not immediately adjacent to the emergency vehicle.

This move should only be made if another lane in the same direction is available and the move can be made safely and without obstructing traffic.

If it is not possible to move to an alternate lane away from the stopped emergency vehicle, the law requires drivers to slow to a reasonable and safe speed that is safe for local weather, road and traffic conditions. vehicles or pedestrians.

The intent of the law is to provide an additional barrier of safety for police officers, firefighters, emergency rescue personnel, and utility and utility workers working along Maryland highways.

It is hoped that drivers will become more aware of police and rescue workers stopped along the road and move away from them or slow down when passing the traffic stop or scene of the incident.

The original law went into effect in 2010. In 2014, the law was expanded to include not only police cars, but also tow trucks, fire trucks, and medical and rescue trucks.

On October 1, 2018, the law extended again to transport, service and utility vehicles, as well as waste and recycling trucks, with flashing lights or yellow or orange signaling devices.