Move over! - Page 2

Cloud · 02-23-2010, 10:11 PM

I'm confused about the left/right thing (as always). The video says you are supposed to move away from the emergency vehicle. So, if they are on the left (next to the median), you're supposed to move right. Right?

Also, it only applies to police (fire, ambulance)?

The accident today involved two cars near the median, and a third car who stopped to help (and this person was killed).

glatt · 02-24-2010, 08:13 AM

I found the text of the Virginia law and it says you should move over "if reasonable" and only if you can do it safely, and if you can't move over, you should "proceed with due caution and maintain a safe speed for highway conditions."

The words "proceed" and "maintain" are not legally defined, as far as I know, but to me they don't mean slow down. They mean continue at the same speed.

It's interesting to me, because the penalty is higher than most other states. (1 year in jail and $2500) but the wording is very weak. Almost as if their intention was to raise awareness without actually convicting anyone.

xoxoxoBruce · 02-24-2010, 08:25 AM

If an accident does happen, that VA law would insure they could prosecute for something, rather than the person just walking away.

piercehawkeye45 · 02-24-2010, 09:24 AM

Makes sense. It seems many ambiguous laws are written just so the police can prosecute something if they feel necessary. Unless you get a cop with a stick up his ass, common sense should be the correct decision. If a police officer is standing on the drivers side of a car pulled over to the right, then it is probably more conservative to slow down, especially if the shoulder is narrow. If the police officer is on the passenger side or standing off to the side, then maintaining speed might be safer because of the possible gawker (sp) behind you.

piercehawkeye45 · 02-24-2010, 09:31 AM

Bicyclists are fucking idiots when you drive. Drivers are fucking idiots when you bike.

TheMercenary · 02-24-2010, 05:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by piercehawkeye45

Bicyclists are fucking idiots when you drive. Drivers are fucking idiots when you bike.

Same for motorcycles. Best advice I ever got when I first started to ride again was drive like every car is trying to kill you. It will change the way you drive a motorcycle.

BrianR · 02-24-2010, 03:08 PM

As an 18 wheeler, I can say that most states have these kinds of laws already, more on the way. Penalties vary. Most of the time, the law is worded much alike. Words to the effect of slow down OR move over. There are times when I cannot move over and all I can do is slow way down. Minimum speed limits do apply, but can be safely ignored if the person you're avoiding is the cop.

There is one sole exception to this rule. The Louisiana causeways. Trucks are restricted to the right lane on these roadways. If you are a big truck, DO NOT move over for a police officer, lights on or not! I guarantee you will get a ticket in the amount of $249. Take their doors off instead, you'll enjoy it more.

piercehawkeye45 · 02-24-2010, 07:06 PM

Agreed. Physics does not care who is at fault in a collision so I do my best not to put myself in a situation where an idiot driver can kill or seriously injure me.

wolf · 02-24-2010, 09:31 PM

Yo, petez:

"shall be subject to all of the duties applicable to the driver of a vehicle "

Stay out of my way!

Pete Zicato · 02-24-2010, 10:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wolf

Yo, petez:

"shall be subject to all of the duties applicable to the driver of a vehicle "

Stay out of my way!

Well, let that be a lesson.

Sundae · 02-25-2010, 12:36 AM

In Amsterdam (where I'm going, did I mention it?) the cyclist is deemed to be in the right in any collision with a motor vehicle.

I kinda get this, in that city. It's about as car friendly as Venice

02-23-2010, 10:11 PM	#1
Cloud ... Join Date: Feb 2007 Posts: 8,360	I'm confused about the left/right thing (as always). The video says you are supposed to move away from the emergency vehicle. So, if they are on the left (next to the median), you're supposed to move right. Right? Also, it only applies to police (fire, ambulance)? The accident today involved two cars near the median, and a third car who stopped to help (and this person was killed). __________________ "Guard your honor. Let your reputation fall where it will. And outlive the bastards!"

02-24-2010, 08:13 AM	#2
glatt ™ Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Arlington, VA Posts: 27,717	I found the text of the Virginia law and it says you should move over "if reasonable" and only if you can do it safely, and if you can't move over, you should "proceed with due caution and maintain a safe speed for highway conditions." The words "proceed" and "maintain" are not legally defined, as far as I know, but to me they don't mean slow down. They mean continue at the same speed. It's interesting to me, because the penalty is higher than most other states. (1 year in jail and $2500) but the wording is very weak. Almost as if their intention was to raise awareness without actually convicting anyone. Last edited by glatt; 02-24-2010 at 08:50 AM.

02-24-2010, 08:25 AM	#3
xoxoxoBruce The future is unwritten Join Date: Oct 2002 Posts: 71,105	If an accident does happen, that VA law would insure they could prosecute for something, rather than the person just walking away. __________________ The descent of man ~ Nixon, Friedman, Reagan, Trump.

02-24-2010, 09:24 AM	#4
piercehawkeye45 Franklin Pierce Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Minnesota Posts: 3,695	Makes sense. It seems many ambiguous laws are written just so the police can prosecute something if they feel necessary. Unless you get a cop with a stick up his ass, common sense should be the correct decision. If a police officer is standing on the drivers side of a car pulled over to the right, then it is probably more conservative to slow down, especially if the shoulder is narrow. If the police officer is on the passenger side or standing off to the side, then maintaining speed might be safer because of the possible gawker (sp) behind you. __________________ I like my perspectives like I like my baseball caps: one size fits all.

02-24-2010, 09:31 AM	#5
piercehawkeye45 Franklin Pierce Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Minnesota Posts: 3,695	Bicyclists are fucking idiots when you drive. Drivers are fucking idiots when you bike. __________________ I like my perspectives like I like my baseball caps: one size fits all.

02-24-2010, 03:08 PM	#7
BrianR Cleverly disguised as a responsible adult Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Dallas, TX Posts: 3,338	As an 18 wheeler, I can say that most states have these kinds of laws already, more on the way. Penalties vary. Most of the time, the law is worded much alike. Words to the effect of slow down OR move over. There are times when I cannot move over and all I can do is slow way down. Minimum speed limits do apply, but can be safely ignored if the person you're avoiding is the cop. There is one sole exception to this rule. The Louisiana causeways. Trucks are restricted to the right lane on these roadways. If you are a big truck, DO NOT move over for a police officer, lights on or not! I guarantee you will get a ticket in the amount of $249. Take their doors off instead, you'll enjoy it more. __________________ Never be afraid to tell the world who you are. -- Anonymous

02-24-2010, 07:06 PM	#8
piercehawkeye45 Franklin Pierce Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Minnesota Posts: 3,695	Agreed. Physics does not care who is at fault in a collision so I do my best not to put myself in a situation where an idiot driver can kill or seriously injure me. __________________ I like my perspectives like I like my baseball caps: one size fits all.

02-24-2010, 09:31 PM	#9
wolf lobber of scimitars Join Date: Jul 2001 Location: Phila Burbs Posts: 20,774	Yo, petez: "shall be subject to all of the duties applicable to the driver of a vehicle " Stay out of my way! __________________ wolf eht htiw og "Conspiracies are the norm, not the exception." --G. Edward Griffin The Creature from Jekyll Island High Priestess of the Church of the Whale Penis

02-25-2010, 12:36 AM	#11
Sundae polaroid of perfection Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: West Yorkshire Posts: 24,185	In Amsterdam (where I'm going, did I mention it?) the cyclist is deemed to be in the right in any collision with a motor vehicle. I kinda get this, in that city. It's about as car friendly as Venice

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