Douglas County Sheriff’s Office Issues Reminder on Move Over Laws
DOUGLAS COUNTY, Ga. – A reminder has been issued by the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office related to Georgia’s Move Over laws. As part of the effort to protect law enforcement officers and other emergency responders, images of several damaged patrol cars were included with the reminder.
Other vehicles collided with the vehicles shown in the images as officers attended to emergency incidents at the side of the road. Move Over laws are in place to help prevent such accidents throughout the state of Georgia.
When drivers approach police officers and other emergency responders stopped on the side of the road, the law states that they must move over one lane. This allows law enforcement, fire and paramedic responders to work safely and effectively in an emergency.
Breaking the Move Over law can result in a citation and a fine of up to $500. FBI statistics taken from before the COVID-19 pandemic show that more law enforcement officers died in collisions than in any other circumstance, including shooting incidents.
Navigating Unexpected Road Hazards
The Move Over law in Georgia is designed to save lives. However, it is important that drivers display increased awareness and response to any unexpected hazards on our roads. While many of these hazards are situational, others can be anticipated.
Road traffic reports are an excellent source of information for most routes throughout the state of Georgia. Drivers can also turn to weather forecasts to get an idea of driving conditions on any given day. If you are looking for information on current or planned road works, The Georgia Department of Transportation (GDOT) should have projects listed for state and federal roadways.
Situational & Expected Road Hazards
The types of hazards that relate to Georgia’s Move Over laws are often situational in nature. If drivers are aware of such incidents, preparing to exercise caution is the expected response. However, not every road user will have forewarning, so applicable laws and rules of the road must be followed in all instances.
Similar situational hazards may occur due to weather conditions. Fallen trees or power lines can create dangerous obstructions on the road. If these structures strike a passing vehicle, emergency responders will need to attend the scene. Other drivers must therefore navigate around the scene while also observing Move Over laws.
When drivers encounter road works, greater care is needed to safely navigate around the site and workers. It is important to note that Move Over laws also apply to passing GDOT workers when drivers encounter a work zone. Unfortunately, it is also true that more motorists than GDOT workers are injured or killed in accidents related to road works.
As part of continued efforts to protect GDOT workers, the department has implemented several safety measures over the years. These measures are largely aimed toward making motorists aware of road work and how to navigate around work zones. These hazard warnings include slow down messages, lane management information and LED indicators that are easier to see in bad weather or bright sunshine.
Road Accident Lawyer, Georgia
If you have been injured in a road accident while safely navigating a potential hazard, you may not be at fault. When other drivers ignore the warning signs, it can result in a collision that causes injuries or fatalities. Motorists who do their part to keep our roads safe can seek compensation by consulting with a road accident lawyer in Georgia.
Call the offices of Dwayne L. Brown in Atlanta, GA, if you believe that another driver caused your road accident injuries. A free initial consultation will help you understand the process and potential benefits of pursuing compensation.
Posted on Behalf of Law Office of Dwayne L. Brown
Disclaimer: Our staff at the Law Office of Dwayne L. Brown have worked hard to become valued members of the Georgia business community. We write accident news stories with the intent and purpose of bringing awareness to the dangers of driving in our community with hopes that our fellow community members will use added precautions when operating a motor vehicle and avoid being seriously injured in an Alabama accident. This post is not intended to be a solicitation for business. The information provided in this post is not meant to be legal advice or medical advice. The picture used in this post is not representative of the accident described in this post.