A New Jersey lawmaker wants to expand and raise awareness of the state's Move Over law.

Move over
Sean Gallup, Getty Images
loading...

Assemblyman David Rible (R-Wall), who co-sponsored the 2009 Move Over legislation which requires motorists to change lanes for emergency vehicles on the side of the road, said recent accidents made it clear that not enough drivers are aware of the law.

"The Move Over was great when it was written," Rible said. "I thought it was very well done. I thought we had it right, but like any piece of legislation, you have to re-evaluate after a period of time. Maybe we didn't get it right, so now we have to change the law to make it for all vehicles pulled over on the side of the road."

Rible said he plans to introduce legislation to expand the law to require drivers to slow down and change lanes for any vehicle on the side of the road.

A Waldwick police officer was killed July 17 when his parked patrol car was rammed from behind by a tractor-trailer. The day after, two Pine Beach cops were hurt when their parked cruisers were hit while they were talking to a driver they had pulled over.

"I am sure you would agree that these incidents are a frightening reminder of the dangers faced by emergency workers on our state's roadways. Therefore, I request that the New Jersey Department of Transportation help to protect our emergency responders by taking urgent action to increase awareness of the Move Over law," Rible wrote in a letter to acting Department of Transportation commissioner Joseph Bertoni.

One way the DOT could raise awareness is by posting a reminder on the flashing, mobile signs that can be seen throughout the state, according to Rible. He also explained that legislators could get together and launch a concerted effort by sending their constituents letters reminding them of the law.

More From WPG Talk Radio 95.5 FM