Maine police to enforce highway 'move over' law
The Associated Press
YORK, Maine — Maine State Police are telling motorists to "move over" when they approach vehicles with flashing lights in highway breakdown lanes.
Beginning Friday on the Maine Turnpike in York, police plan to step up enforcement of the so-called "move over" law requiring drivers to move into the passing lane, if possible, or slow down when traveling by police cars, fire trucks, ambulances, tow trucks and other vehicles with flashing lights in the breakdown lane.
For the enforcement initiative, troopers will monitor passing traffic when one of them is stopped in the breakdown lane with a motorist.
State police Col. Patrick Fleming says 16 state police cruisers since 2003 have been struck by motorists while parked along roadways.
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19 COMMENTS
c3dlZXRwZWU%3D said...
How about they slow down on turnpike and obey the speed like everyone else when they are not on a call.. That would be a change of heart
July 30, 2010 at 8:46 AM Report abuse
Obamination said...
Great. Intentionally create a hazard then pick driver's pockets. Your tax dollars at work people. How many accidents will be / have been caused by drivers suddenly changing lanes because of cop cars that could have easily parked further off the road? We need a law saying cop cars should be fined if they don't park far enough off the road to not bother me.
July 30, 2010 at 8:52 AM Report abuse
punk51 said...
hey its not that difficult to provide space as directed by driving regulations...if its too much for you to handle than stop driving
July 30, 2010 at 9:00 AM Report abuse
Obamination said...
THEN stop driving, punk. If spellng is too much for you to handle then stop righting.
July 30, 2010 at 9:08 AM Report abuse
sledder said...
Obamination, yur one to tawk abot speling.
July 30, 2010 at 9:21 AM Report abuse
Wally2468 said...
It's common sense to move over when you see flashing lights on a vehicle. They are there for public safety.
July 30, 2010 at 9:22 AM Report abuse
GURRY70 said...
This is common sense driving safely 101. If you think that you own the road, not driving responsibly and the rules do not apply to you, you shouldn't have a license. You do not have to change lanes "suddenly" you should have been driving a little farther forward than off the end of the hood...and have seen the flashing lights in plenty of time to slow down....
July 30, 2010 at 9:50 AM Report abuse
Marie said...
This law is a reflection of Maine drivers intelligence, consideration for safety & lives of others. Many out there driving just don't give a damn until it hits their wallets.
July 30, 2010 at 9:55 AM Report abuse
FormerRep said...
Obamination: Those cruisers are PURPOSELY parked partially in the travel lane to afford a small measure of protection for the human being standing beside the motorists vehicle Is it really that difficult to move over or slow down? On an average 45 minute drive down the turnpike, how many times are you "inconvenienced" by a state Trooper doing his job protecting your safety?
July 30, 2010 at 9:57 AM Report abuse
mainemewi9 said...
umm...obamination i think you mean "stop writing"...just saying lol
July 30, 2010 at 10:39 AM Report abuse
SnVzdFN0b3BJdA%3D%3D said...
Why not use some of these underutilized million dollar electronic signs hanging from bridges to remind people about laws that are not always followed, including the pull over law, the lights on when wipers are on law, the seatbelt law, etc. Seems like those signs are often dark - why not put them to good use?
July 30, 2010 at 10:55 AM Report abuse
Snooks said...
It is called defensive driving, and I apply this every day that I drive. Being considerate of others should be a no-brainer, when behind the wheel of a vehicle. I, for one, am happy about this law. P.S. I think Obamination purposely spelled "writing" wrong to make his point.
July 30, 2010 at 10:56 AM Report abuse
fattubbo said...
punk, you're right. However, as others have also noted, it's just as easy for the staties to observe the same speed limit laws they're required to enforce. Why be such hypocrites?
July 30, 2010 at 12:16 PM Report abuse
Bole said...
I like to move in real close and speed up to see if I can blow their hat off.
July 30, 2010 at 12:30 PM Report abuse
williealso said...
Obamination.They park 2 to 3 feet toward the driving land for protection. Go park in the breakdown land for 5 minutes and you will soon find out why they park that way. Many drivers just won't slow down in the passing lane to let someone in for a few second so they can go by the hazarda and get back into the driving lane. I can't believe a few seconds will make that much different going to their final designation.
July 30, 2010 at 12:32 PM Report abuse
Les said...
i want obamanation to play in traffic.
July 30, 2010 at 1:50 PM Report abuse
dG90YWxzbGFt said...
How about they stop stopping people on the highway all together. it is very dangerous for them to do that. I hawk loogies out the window at them after speeding up to 99 mph. SPLAT!
July 30, 2010 at 4:38 PM Report abuse
31115 said...
Obamination, what a STUPID comment
July 30, 2010 at 6:34 PM Report abuse
Slugger said...
@ Obamination. The cops are not pulled further off the road because if they were there would be nothing blocking them from drivers going 65+mph. The nose of the car will and has deflected out of control vehicles from hitting and killing Maine state police officers who risk their lives everyday to protect and save you and everyone close to you. Slow down move over and grow up easy as that.
August 4, 2010 at 11:37 PM Report abuse