Beginning October 1, 2022, the Move Over Law in Maryland will expand to require motorists to make a lane change or slow down when approaching any stopped, standing, or parked vehicle displaying warning signals – including hazard warning lights, road flares, or other caution signals including traffic cones, caution signs, or non-vehicular warning signs. The expanded law is in place to protect law enforcement, emergency responders, and any motorist that may encounter a roadside emergency and must stop near travel lanes. If it is not safe or feasible to move over, motorists must slow to a reasonable and prudent speed that is safe for existing weather, road, and vehicular or pedestrian traffic conditions.
The previous version of the law required that motorists must move over when approaching emergency, law enforcement, tow truck, utility, and transportation vehicles while they are stopped, standing, or parked on a highway with their red, amber, or yellow lights flashing. The new law requires this action for ANY vehicle, as noted above.
In Montgomery County, an additional fire truck is dispatched as a blocking unit on any incident on a multi-lane or higher speed roadway. There have been multiple incidents where distracted drivers have struck these units. Fortunately, they were blocking the emergency scene so no first responders were injured. The move over law is designed to help prevent these collisons.
