By Josh Davis, Associate Editor

(Oct. 4, 2018) Maryland Drivers should be on the lookout for vehicles with flashing yellow lights, as well as emergency vehicles, because of the expanded “Move Over Law” that took effect Oct. 1.

According to a press release from the State Highway Administration, Maryland’s “Move Over” law now includes transportation, service and utility vehicles, as well as waste and recycling trucks, with yellow or amber flashing lights or signal devices. These vehicles join the list of protected vehicles under the state’s current law, which includes emergency response and law enforcement vehicles, as well as tow trucks.
The expanded law requires drivers to yield the lane to vehicles with red, yellow or amber flashing lights when moving can be done safely.

“This movement should only be done if another lane in the same direction is available and the move can be made safely and without impeding other traffic,” the release said. “If the driver is unable to make a lane change, the law requires drivers to slow to a reasonable and prudent speed that is safe for existing conditions while passing the emergency or service vehicles.”

Department of Transportation and State Highway Administrator Gregory Slater said he is pleased the law now protects service and utility vehicles.

“Safety is our number one priority,” Slater said. “Our employees work alongside active roadways, daily and with every glance away from the road, each time a driver reads a text message, answers a phone call, or fails to move over their safety is jeopardized. Please move over to help ensure a safer work environment for our employees.”

According to the release, drivers who erroneously steered into work areas killed several State Highway Administration workers during recent years.

They include Eddie Gilyard, killed in November 2013 while working on the shoulder of I-695 near Belair Road in Baltimore County, and Rick Moser, struck and killed along a I-270 ramp in 2007. In Howard County, contractor Erick Meekins was killed in June 2013 while setting up cones on Route 216 near Route 29 in Howard County, the release said.

The Berlin Fire Company on Monday posted additional tips for the new law on its official Facebook page.

According to the post, under the expanded law emergency vehicles are defined as:

Vehicles of federal, state or local law enforcement agencies
Vehicles of volunteer fire companies, rescue squads, fire departments, the Maryland Institute for Emergency Medical Services Systems, and the Maryland Fire and Rescue Institute
State vehicles used in response to oil or hazardous materials spills
State vehicles designated for emergency use by the Commissioner of Correction Ambulances
Special vehicles funded or provided by federal, state, or local government and used for emergency or rescue purposes
According to the State Highway Administration, violations of the “Move Over Law” result in a misdemeanor. Basic violations can result in a $110 fine and Motor Vehicle Administration assessment of one point against the driver’s license.

If the violation contributes to a crash, the fine increases to $150 and three points are assessed. If death or serious bodily injury occurs, the fine is $750.