Mississippi’s Move Over Law in effect to protect first responders
By Toni Miles
Mississippi’s Move Over Law requires drivers to move one lane over when possible and to slow down when approaching first responder, law enforcement and road work vehicles with flashing lights that are parked on the side of the roadway.
There’s a law that’s “been on the books” for nearly two decades that some Mississippi drivers aren’t yet aware of but could make a court appearance for and get ticketed over – the Move Over Law.
Mississippi’s Move Over law went into effect in 2007. It requires anyone driving in Mississippi to move at least one lane away when approaching emergency vehicles that are parked on the roadside with lights flashing. This could include vehicles manned by police officers, highway patrolmen, Mississippi Department of Transportation workers or others who work as first responders. The law requires a lane change, or, if there are vehicles in the next lane over and it is unsafe to change lanes, motorists are required to slow down.
Under the Move Over Law, motorists who are passing an emergency vehicle on the side of the road must slow down and yield the right of way by changing lanes, keeping at least one lane between them and the emergency vehicle and first responders, if possible.
The law is intended to protect ambulance crews, state troopers and other law enforcement, medical personnel and first responders. It also covers tow trucks and highway maintenance vehicles. This often-ignored law also requires motorists to get out of the way of approaching emergency vehicles, as well, usually by pulling over to the right-hand edge of a road or street.
Drivers who don’t make room and fail to change lanes when possible under the Move Over Law risk getting ticketed, as some Mississippians have already found out.
Failure to obey the Move Over Law is a misdemeanor punishable by a fine. If the violation results in property damage to an emergency vehicle, highway maintenance or recovery vehicle or bodily injury, the fine can be up to $1,000.
In the event that the accident results in the death of a First Responder the charge should be upgraded to a felony charge of negligent homicide. Too many First Responders are losing their lives to drivers with cellphones or distracted or impaired driving by alcohol or narcotics. They are already committing a misdemeanor which leads to death. According to records kept by Officers Down Memorial Page Officers being killed from failure to obey the Move Over Law is increasing to be the third lead cause of death. This should be the law nationwide.
I’m just year ago I had got ticket for not moving over no one was in road I slowed down I didn’t no it was against law I still got ticket do I have pay seemed like law just went in effect just wondering
I was ticket last October for the move over law . I took it to court because I was on I 55 north bound . The officer with the Mississippi Highway patrol had a pick up truck pulled over at Savannah street on ramp against the wall the have there now . The is on ramp and a service lane as well. I had slowed down could not get over . The officer was at least 30 feet or more . I was in the right lane I was having engine trouble. I was 40 miles per hour when I went past them. I pulled over at Daniel lake past. That wall so we were both in a safe place . I plead not guilt to the ticket . Went to justice court in hinds county but judge said she found me guilty . Do the judges now this law ??