Pa.’s Move Over Law takes effect
By JEFF STITT
jstitt@yourmvi.com
Families of at least two late western Pennsylvania men — paramedic Matthew Smelser and registered nurse Scott Hirsh — had their loved ones on their hearts and minds Tuesday as Pennsylvania’s Move Over Law took effect.
The new law requires drivers approaching an emergency response area who are unable to safely merge into a lane farther away from the response area to slow to at least 20 mph below the posted speed limit.
Mon Valley 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, 2020, while aiding a motorist following an accident on Interstate 70.
Hirsh was struck and killed in 2017 in Ohio Township by a distracted driver as he was changing a tire on his camper, despite pulling onto the shoulder of the roadway and using road flares and caution signs, according to state Rep. Nick Pisciottano.
An emergency response area is where an emergency vehicle has its lights flashing or where road crews or emergency responders have lighted flares, posted signs or try to warn travelers, according to Act 105 of 2020, which was signed Oct. 29 and went into effect Tuesday.
The law is considered to be version two of the state’s Steer Clear Law, which was enacted in 2006.
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