Move it on Over, Slide it on Over

The law regarding a driver’s duty relating to emergency vehicles changed in October of 2018. On the approach of an emergency vehicle with lights a sirens, you are required to pull to the side of the road and let the emergency vehicle pass. Everyone knows that. The change to the law, is what has been described as the “Move Over” law.

Motorists in Maryland now have a duty to, as the classic artist George Thorogood might describe it, “move it on over, slide it on over.” Or more specifically, when approaching an emergency vehicle stopped on the highway, with its lights flashing, you must, if possible, make a lane change to an available lane that is not directly adjacent to the emergency vehicle.

The failure to make the required lane change carries a one point and a fine from $110 to $750 fine.