NHP increases 'Move Over' law enforcement efforts
Submitted by editor on Wed, 02/20/2019 - 1:43pm
CARSON CITY — Over the next several months, the Nevada Highway Patrol will be increasing its enforcement efforts of the “Move Over Law” throughout the state. While NHP continues to conduct traffic stops on a daily basis for a multitude of violations, the focus during this period is this important law that is frequently ignored by motorists.
Since 2003, Nevada law has required drivers to slow down, proceed with caution, and when possible, move to the far lane when passing an official emergency response vehicle that is pulled over on the side of the road with flashing emergency lights. This includes law enforcement vehicles, fire trucks, ambulances and tow trucks.
Beginning July 1, 2017, NRS 484B.607 expanded to lawfully require drivers to do the same for Nevada Department of Transportation vehicles stopped on the side of the road with their flashing amber or non-flashing blue lights on. This includes Freeway Service Patrol (FSP) vehicles.
Every year, first responders are injured or killed when motorists fail to slow down and move over. While this law has been around for over 15 years, the Nevada Highway Patrol continues to see motorists that do not even make a reasonable effort to move over on a regular basis. Protect those who protect you.
These increased enforcement effort will be noticed by motorists in not only the metropolitan areas of the Silver State, but in the smaller rural communities as well. The next “Special Focus Event” will be held this week in the Reno area. Proper enforcement action will be taken on those that fail to move over for stopped emergency vehicles.
NRS 484B.607 Duties of driver when approaching traffic incident; penalty.
1. Upon approaching any traffic incident, the driver of the approaching vehicle shall, in the absence of other direction given by a law enforcement officer:
(a) Decrease the speed of the vehicle to a speed that is reasonable and proper, pursuant to the criteria set forth in subsection 1 of NRS 484B.600;
(b) Proceed with caution;
(c) Be prepared to stop; and
(d) If possible, drive in a lane that is not adjacent to the lane or lanes where the traffic incident is located unless roadway, traffic, weather or other conditions make doing so unsafe or impossible.
2. A person who violates subsection 1 is guilty of a misdemeanor.
3. As used in this section, “traffic incident” means any vehicle, person, condition or other traffic hazard which is located on or near a roadway and which poses a danger to the flow of traffic or to a person involved in, responding to or assisting with the traffic hazard. The term includes, without limitation:
(a) An authorized emergency vehicle which is stopped and is making use of flashing lights meeting the requirements of subsection 3 of NRS 484A.480;
(b) A tow car which is stopped and is making use of flashing amber warning lights meeting the requirements of NRS 484B.748;
(c) An authorized vehicle used by the Department of Transportation which is stopped or moving at a speed slower than the normal flow of traffic and which is making use of flashing amber warning lights meeting the requirements of subsection 1 of NRS 484D.185 or lamps that emit non-flashing blue light meeting the requirements of NRS 484D. 200;
(d) A public utility vehicle which is stopped or moving at a speed slower than the normal flow of traffic and is making use of flashing amber warning lights meeting the requirements of NRS 484D.195;
(e) An authorized vehicle of a local governmental agency which is stopped or moving at a speed slower than the normal flow of traffic and is making use of flashing amber warning lights meeting the requirements of NRS 484D.185;
(f) Any vehicle which is stopped or moving at a speed slower than the normal flow of traffic and is making use of flashing amber warning lights meeting the requirements of NRS 484D.185;
(g) A crash scene;
(h) A stalled vehicle;
(i) Debris on the roadway; or
(j) A person who is out of his or her vehicle attending to a repair of the vehicle.
(Added to NRS by 2003, 486; A 2009, 1096; 2017, 104, 1295) — (Substituted in revision for NRS 484.364).
