November 8, 2021
TRENTON, NJ (MERCER)–November 8-14 is Crash Responder Safety Week.
Nearly once every week, a first responder is killed while attempting to clear a roadway accident.
Under New Jersey’s “Move Over” law, drivers are required to reduce their speed and change lanes when approaching an authorized emergency vehicle. These vehicles include tow trucks, highway maintenance vehicles, sanitation vehicles, and emergency (fire/police/EMS) vehicles displaying flashing, blinking or alternating emergency lights.
Unfortunately, law enforcement, emergency response personnel, tow truck operators, and highway maintenance workers continue to be struck and injured or killed while aiding others on the side of the road because a passing vehicle did not sufficiently slow down and move over.
When you see flashing lights on the side of the road, slow down, and if it’s safe, MOVE OVER.
If you make the move, others will follow.
https://www.nj.gov/oag/hts/move-over-law/
Delaware Valley Regional Planning Commission
New Jersey Statute 39:4-92.2
Procedure for motorist approaching certain stationary vehicle.
1. a. The operator of a motor vehicle approaching a stationary authorized emergency vehicle as defined in R.S.39:1-1 that is displaying a flashing, blinking or alternating red or blue light or, any configuration of lights containing one of these colors, shall approach the authorized emergency vehicle with due caution and shall, absent any other direction by a law enforcement officer, proceed as follows:
(1) Make a lane change into a lane not adjacent to the authorized emergency vehicle if possible in the existing safety and traffic conditions; or
(2) If a lane change pursuant to paragraph (1) of subsection a. of this section would be impossible, prohibited by law or unsafe, reduce the speed of the motor vehicle to a reasonable and proper speed for the existing road and traffic conditions, which speed shall be less than the posted speed limit, and be prepared to stop.
b. The operator of a motor vehicle approaching a stationary tow truck as defined in section 1 of P.L.1999, c.396 (C.39:3-84.6) that is displaying a flashing amber light, a stationary highway maintenance or emergency service vehicle that is operated by the State, an authority or a county or municipality and displaying flashing yellow, amber, or red lights, or a stationary sanitation vehicle displaying a flashing amber warning light pursuant to section 1 of P.L.2011, c.3 (C.39:3-54.27) shall approach the vehicle with due caution and shall, absent any other direction by a law enforcement officer, proceed as follows:
(1) Make a lane change into a lane not adjacent to the tow truck, highway maintenance or emergency service vehicle, or sanitation vehicle if possible in the existing safety and traffic conditions; or
(2) If a lane change under paragraph (1) of subsection b. of this section would be impossible, prohibited by law or unsafe, reduce the speed of the motor vehicle to a reasonable and proper speed for the existing road and traffic conditions, which speed shall be less than the posted speed limit, and be prepared to stop.
c. A violation of this section shall be punished by a fine of not less than $100 and not more than $500.
L. 2017, c.43, s.1.
On June 6, 2010, Trooper Castellano was struck by a passing motorist while walking along the shoulder of I-195 while searching for a reported armed occupant of an abandoned vehicle.
In 2018, Governor Phil Murphy renamed a portion of I-195 as “Marc K. Castellano Memorial Highway” to honor Trooper Castellano’s memory.
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