Question about ~Move over for Flashing lights Law~

To show you how things have changed, years ago, when I was young and stupid, one used to get congratulatory remarks if you blew the troopers hat off their head.

 

I have a little insight on this topic to share as I operate a heavy duty wrecker based in the greater Chattanooga, TN area and 80%+ of the revenue to my assigned wrecker comes from towing. This towing rarely originates from hooking up a tractor trailer to tow while it's safely parked in a parking lot, unfortunately trucks usually break down on the shoulder and in the worst spots. It's safe to estimate that I'm on the shoulder of I-24 or I-75 between Monteagle, Tn / Knoxville, Tn / Chattanooga, TN and Atlanta, Ga for more than $300,000 worth of towing revenue hook ups annually. I'm on the shoulder daily.

Thus, I have a few insights to share concerning a few types of drivers that I have come to recognize.

While I'm in front of a big truck hooking up to tow, it's apparent that the doubles pulling line haul driver cares the least about moving over or slowing down. They can be the only truck for miles and they won't move or slow down more often than any other driver category.

The big national transportation company with 65mph trucks are most often ready to move over, but when they do it too early and the results really suck. This is because the traffic behind that "slow" truck decides to pass on the right and thereby is 75-85mph in the lane immediately adjacent to me. Dang. Then the passing driver realizes why the slow truck got over, but is already committed to dangerous driving and continues their attempts on my life.

I especially dislike the driver that wants to move over but can't because traffic will not permit a lane change, but he never thinks to slow down. This driver throws his hands in the air as he passes as if to signal to me that he attempted safe driving but the other cars won't allow him to drive safe. He could have slowed, but it never occurs to him. I don't understand. I dislike that he doesn't think to slow down.

So let's go over a few things that would be a good idea no matter what the law is. In any situation when emergency lights are going on the shoulder or anyone may be tending to a disabled vehicle on the roadway or shoulder:

Safely slow down.

Safely, just as you were taught to not only operate your own CMV but you also often are required to drive the cars around you in traffic from your own driver seat, safely and lawfully slow in a manner that will temporarily slow the flow of traffic during this time.

Move over when it's safe to do so, and slow down too. When you move over, do it in a manner that signals to the drivers around you that something weird is going on. Either take an extended amount of time to change lanes, or safely change lanes rather quickly. If you've been paying attention your gut will likely know how the traffic around you will best react to your movements.

Activate your four-way flashers. As you slow. After a successful safe lane change. Even if you couldn't change lanes. This can be an important signal to other motorists that something is going on that needs a little more immediate attention.

I recognize this all sounds a little overboard, but you never know when something bad has happened in the operations that are going on and the guy working on the shoulder needs to move fast and erratic. I've had trucks fall off my underreach, drivers attempting to start trucks even as I'm pulling the driveshaft, I've had snakes come up on me, I've had to deal with homeless drunk and high people, I've had robbery attempts made on me, even once by the guy that was broke down and I was towing as directed by his company. If I need a way out quickly, I already know that towards traffic isn't the way because too many drivers refuse to follow the law or adhere to common sense and go above and beyond what the law is requiring.

I understand it really sucks to lose a spot in traffic that you've worked so hard to gain. I know that you know it's likely you're the only one that's going to be proactive as you pass by the roadside hazard. It's never been more dangerous to be on the shoulder than it is currently. Too many firemen, officers, road service techs and tow operators are getting killed. Tow operators are 6 times more likely to be struck than an officer.

Does it really matter what the law is? Just slow down. Move over safely. Drive as if it were your loved one on the shoulder and in danger. I'm not complaining about my job. I'd do it even if it were more dangerous than it already is. I'm not complaining about drivers or motorists. I need them out there, breaking down and bumping into one another so our services are needed occasionally. I'm just sharing a little so maybe even just once, your actions make it a little safer for the person on the shoulder of the road.

 

Okay, if you can't move over slow down but how much do you slow down? If I'm driving 65 and see you at the last minute, I may only be able to slow down to 55. You getting clipped at 65 or 55 mph won't make much of a difference

 

driver, i believe you answered your own question, it won't make much of a difference

but if you are unable to control your vehicle in the manner in which you choose to operate it and you see no other outs in such a situation, then just run over everyone who is in your way

just make sure you kill everyone dead and remove all your evidence before leaving the scene because depending on the state, if you get caught then you will be cited under multiple infractions, probably lose your right to drive anything for a long time but it won't matter because you will probably go to prison and all this will take years to unravel and cost a lot of money and become a permanent part of your driving record and your criminal nightmare will last your entire life

so don't use your professional driver training, the Smith System, common sense, and don't make any adjustments for anyone nearby in the road, just keep driving, close your eyes and hope for the best

 

What I have noticed is these are great situations for gauging how far out from peoples vehicles they are paying attention to.

I see an emergency vehicle on the shoulder with its lights going and I start getting over. I then watch the vehicles ahead of me randomly become aware that there is an emergency vehicle ahead. There is no order, I would think the closest might react first, but no. It is completely random.

It is scary how many drivers seem to be closely monitoring their hood ornament, not the road ahead.

 

Many states and provinces require both.

Here's something I don't understand. You're driving along and there's a cop on the shoulder. Everyone manages to move over and traffic hardly slows at all. Yet when everyone has to move over due to losing a lane to construction we end up at a crawl.

 

Yep, hard to see far ahead when you tailgating a big truck though.

Took a road trip last fall while on holidays. Night time, little traffic. Up ahead there's 4 trucks fairly close together and no one else in sight. Gaining on the trucks quickly but noticed something and slowed down, pacing them from about a half mile back. Wife asks why I'm slowing down. I says I'll wait until we see what's up with the flashy lights ahead before we pass the trucks. Wife and daughter shared a look, thought I was losing my mind. As the trucks start around a bend in the road signals come on and they all move to the left.

Come around the bend and that red/blue glow I had noticed in the sky came into view. Cop had someone pulled over on the shoulder.