Michigan’s Move Over Law Expands, And You Need To Know How

Everyone by now has heard of Michigan's Move Over Law that has been implemented to protect emergency responders on highways and roadways. Since 2001, the law has required drivers in the lane closest to those stationary emergency vehicles to move over, if possible, to give those responders more room to work and decrease the chance of an accident.

Police have now expanded the law which requires that all drivers approaching stationary emergency vehicles with lights flashing must slow down to at least 10 mph below the posted speed limit. The Move Over Law  now also applies to any maintenance and utility vehicles such as tow trucks, construction vehicles, and garbage trucks, according to the Oakland Press. A spokesperson for the Michigan State Police Dept, Lt. Mike Shaw is urging people to heed the new warning to save a life: "If you see someone on the side of the road, move over a lane and give them a chance to get done what they have to do. If you end up driving down the roadway and killing an emergency responder, it's not only the fines and prison time that will get you. You will have to deal that for the rest of your life."

Again, all vehicles are now required to slow down 10 mph below the posted speed limit when approaching a vehicle on the side of the road and must move over if possible.Violation of this law could result in a civil infraction subject to a $400 fine. Significant fines (up to $7,500) and prison time (up to 15 years) could happen if the violation results in the injury or death of a emergency responder.