This entry was posted on 4/20/2007 7:11 PM and is filed under uncategorized.
NEW INFORMATIONAL ROADSIGN POSTED
Just this past week, I noticed that the Georgia DOT (GDOT) has posted new overhead signs on US 19/GA 400 and I-285 informing motorists of the law requiring drivers to either slow down or move over when emergency vehicles are stopped on the shoulder. Here is the wording of the applicable Georgia Code item (source: LexisNexis via the Georgia General Assembly website)...
§ 40-6-16. Procedure for passing stationary authorized emergency vehicles, stationary towing or recovery vehicles, or stationary highway maintenance vehicles
(a) The operator of a motor vehicle approaching a stationary authorized emergency vehicle that is displaying flashing yellow, amber, white, red, or blue lights shall approach the authorized emergency vehicle with due caution and shall, absent any other direction by a peace officer, proceed as follows:
(1) Make a lane change into a lane not adjacent to the authorized emergency vehicle if possible in the existing safety and traffic conditions; or
(2) If a lane change under paragraph (1) of this subsection would be impossible, prohibited by law, or unsafe, reduce the speed of the motor vehicle to a reasonable and proper speed for the existing road and traffic conditions, which speed shall be less than the posted speed limit, and be prepared to stop.
(b) The operator of a motor vehicle approaching a stationary towing or recovery vehicle or a stationary highway maintenance vehicle that is displaying flashing yellow, amber, or red lights shall approach the vehicle with due caution and shall, absent any other direction by a peace officer, proceed as follows:
(1) Make a lane change into a lane not adjacent to the towing, recovery, or highway maintenance vehicle if possible in the existing safety and traffic conditions; or
(2) If a lane change under paragraph (1) of this subsection would be impossible, prohibited by law, or unsafe, reduce the speed of the motor vehicle to a reasonable and proper speed for the existing road and traffic conditions, which speed shall be less than the posted speed limit, and be prepared to stop.
(c) Violation of subsection (a) or (b) of this Code section shall be punished by a fine of not more than $500.00.
PLEASE NOTE: The above quotation of the Georgia Code does not constitute the dispensing of legal advice from "The Georgia Road Geek". It is provided for informational purposes only.
CONGRATS TO A READER ON HIS EXTRA-CLASS HAM LICENSE
Congratulations to "Georgia Road Geek" reader Kevin McGehee for recently earning his Extra-Class amateur (ham) radio license. Thanks for reading and posting your comments, Kevin.
Finally, I offer my condolences to the families of the victims of the Virginia Tech shootings and the entire Virginia Tech community. You are all in my thoughts and prayers.
That's all for now. Thank you for visiting and please come back often.
4/29/2007 7:06 PMRoaddog wrote:
I've noted that move over or slow down law in most of the Midwest and Rocky Mountain states for years. Truckers generally move over whenever they can for disabled vehicles, police, etc. and I've always tried to do the same, even without a law that mandates it.
One such sign, like the one you photographed, that I saw just last week in South Dakota stated a similar message, yet has "when yellow lights are flashing", pertaining to the light fixtures on the emergency vehicle. Reply to this
Copyright 2007. Steve Williams. All rights reserved.
DISCLAIMER: "The Georgia Road Geek" is neither affiliated with, nor endorsed by, the State of Georgia, Georgia Department of Transportation, or any other federal, state, or local government agency.
