Move over or slow down

I guess some people don't grasp the slow down part of move over or slow down for stopped emergency vehicles. Twice this week I saw big trucks almost run 4 wheelers off the road when they realized too late there was a cop on the shoulder ahead of them. God forbid they slow down enough for the couple of cars beside them to be in front of them and then move over. Just put on the blinker and turn the wheel. One of them came very close to causing an accident.

 

And what I absolutely hate is when you move over to the left because a cop is on the shoulder and some idiot (usually a four wheeler) comes around you on the right side! Never an unoccupied cop around when you need one...

 

I agree, however thats really not your problem its the cop's. But it does ruffle my feather also.

But by the same token The California Laws states to move over for emergency vehicles and workers if safe to do so, but the California laws does not say to slow down if you cannot get over. It also says if clear and safe to do so, And frequently I see drivers of cars and trucks alike willing to cause an accident to get over which is worse than staying put. I have seen trucks run cars into center divider to get over, so stupidity goes both ways..

Honestly I don't believe that most car drivers (at least here in CA) are even aware of the law.

 

Ah a discussion close to my heart...

YES, there are slow down - move over laws now in 43 or so of the United States and several providences in Canada...

While there are different wordings in each one, the intent is the same thing...

If there is an emergency vehicle, road crews (who have those ZILLION BARRELS) tow trucks, police - fire vehicles and such you are supposed to slow down and move over if possible.

YES there are nuts who do not care, and will try to crowd the area around the emergency worker - vehicle and I personally do take insult to people who do that.

YES I DRIVE HEAVY DUTY TOW TRUCK, and I am generally on the side of the road working with traffic going past at 50 to 70 (or more) miles per hour... Have I been hit, not personally, but I have been "brushed" and I have had a tool box taken out of my hand by a car that hit it.

I have also lost several friends over the years due to being hit by vehicles at wrecks, disablements and such...

Now I have to say that most people today tend to drive like they own the road and then there are the ones who only know "1 lane" to get somewhere and if you force them to get out of that lane, or have to go 1 block further to turn due to a wreck then they are totally lost.

I have had people drive around police cars, cones and such at wrecks and come right up to me and the tow truck and when asked why they did it, "I only know how to go this way" is the answer.

But I beg, plead, and hope that everyone here does take note of the laws and remember that this law is in place for a reason. To save lives.... To many of my fellow tow truck drivers lose their lives each year (approximetly 60 a year) due to getting hit and killed on the job...

Please give us the respect that the law is there for, and it the law was created because of the "LOST COMMON SENSE" of motorists...

 

I had a backboard ripped out of my hands on a traffic accident by a vehicle. That let you know how close they were.

 

That's horrible, it's a wonder you weren't killed.

 

I know it irritates many of the drivers behind me, but when there are people on the road, I move over. If at an accident scene, I slow down, because you cannot keep track of all of the movement.

If there is a tow truck, I treat them the same. We help clean up accidents and I know what they go through.

If they don't like slowing down, I feel sorry for them.

 

I noticed that if I'm coming up to something on the side of the road and there's a car coming up behind me that I know will jump in the right lane if I get in the left, if I get halfway over and go by straddling the line, they tend to stay behind me in the left lane. Maybe we could make that the standard practice?

 

I dont care about being passed on the right by some idiot 4wheeler. I will switch lanes REGARDLESS! Bad things can happen really quickly on the shoulder. Cops you see. Most motorists will see the cop and get over too. The incredibly dangerous thing is the 4 wheeler on the shoulder of the road, parked right on the line, with the freakin toddler running around the car!!!!!

GEEEEEEEEEEEZZZZ!!!!! Some people...

Not only will I get over, I will slow down and hug the left lane in hopes that the idiots' kid doesnt run out into traffic.

That reminds me...years ago, I was coming through Meridian,Ms, on 59/20 northbound, and this stupid girl holding a baby was on the left shoulder, against the median wall, taking the shortcut, waiting for her chance to dash across heavy 70 MPH traffic. I come up in the left lane, passing another rig, and see her, she has one foot on the line looking as if shes ready to run out in front of me...

People, if you want to die, thats your business. Leave the kids out of it, and leave the truckers alone.

 

That practice will get you a citation under the "impeding traffic" group. Why is it that some think because they "think" they are being safer or more cautious, that they become road monitors" and have the right or authority to direct the flow of traffic?

Besides that it is an unsafe act..if that 4 wheeler is hell bent on getting around you, he could slide by using the shoulder, if his tire catches a rut, or drop off of pavement, that slide off could either 1) throw him ito the median, or 2) throw him into you. Either case YOU have been complicit to the causing of the accident. Keep in mind you can only drive ONE VEHICLE AT A TIME, so maintain your vehicles legal position, whether it be right lane or left lane, and let his actions dictate his position and responsibiliy.

Same circumstances when approaching a lane reduction to road work or construction. To many times I have seen the truckers straddle the line to block 4 wheelers from getting ahead of them in the reduction zone. Why risk the tickect for impeding..just to be first at getting into the reduced single lane? I understand the frustration of people impatient and pushing their way to the lead, 4 wheelers and truckers alike. But doesn't it make sense to be defensive rather than offensive?