New Strict “Move Over” Law

A law that ups the penalty for violating North Carolina’s “Move Over” law is now in effect. The new law went on the books Sunday December 1.

Those who fail to slow down or move over for stopped emergency vehicles, and it results in death or serious injury, will face more severe punishment.

The change comes after a Lumberton police officer was struck and killed while investigating a car crash in December last year.

Violating the law and injuring an emergency responder in the process could now result in prison time for someone with an otherwise clean record.

The Move Over law requires motorists to approach cautiously when an emergency vehicle is stopped on the shoulder of the roadway with its lights flashing. Motorists are required to change lanes away from the emergency vehicle on a multi-lane highway or slow down on a two lane highway.