Move Over Law will take effect this year
By ERIC SEIVERLING
eseiverling@yourmvi.com
Under the shadow of today’s one-year anniversary of the death of a Mon Valley first responder, Pennsylvania is looking ahead to enforcing a new law that will keep emergency personnel safer on busy roadways.
Though it doesn’t go into effect until April 21, the state’s Move Over Law, which was signed in October, requires drivers to slow down and move into a lane not next to an emergency response area when an emergency vehicle has its lights flashing. It also applies when road crews or emergency responders have lighted flares, posted signs or other warnings to drivers.
The law is considered to be version two of the state’s Steer Clear Law, which was enacted in 2006.
Officials and first responders sought to have stricter laws against motorists after Rostraver West Newton Emergency Services paramedic Matthew Smelser, 43, was killed Jan. 5 while aiding a motorist following an accident on Interstate 70.
“I totally support it. It’s long overdue,” said Rostraver West Newton Emergency Services Director of Operations Michael Stangroom. “What happened to Matthew could have happened to anybody. People have to be aware of their surroundings, road conditions and everything else.”
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