New Law/Ticket? (Charlotte: dangerous, vehicle, office)

[Barkingowl]

Originally Posted by BigCountry

This law is obviously meant to protect emergency personnel working the scene of an emergency, but a traffic stop is not an emergency and the cop can't really say he was reasonably endangered by traffic...

Actually he can say that he felt endangered, & he'd be right. For some reason police, emergency & other vehicles that are stopped on the side of the road tend to attract inattentive drivers like moths to a flame. I think its a great law. Its too bad that more states don't have a similar law on the books.

[lovesMountains]

Originally Posted by BrianH1970

What's the over/under that loves nails herself a ticket before the month's up?

Now don't be wishing that one on ME Brian, LOL!! Man, it would be just my luck...

[Asheville Native]

Originally Posted by InSouthPark

Yeah, this law passed a few months ago and it was published in the Observer at the time. I remember telling my wife of the new law since she doesn't read the paper.

Uhhh try 6 years ago, not new at all.

And NC is not the only state with this law.

[ultraviolet*]

Originally Posted by NCyank

I thought this was a common practice even before it became a law. I have always moved over (when possible) for anyone pulled off the side of the road, emergency or not. It just seems like common sense. I understand that 'slow down' and 'when possible' are entirely subjective but other than that what would be the objection??

It is a common practice in many states. I drive a lot of interstates and a good number have signs that say "move over for stopped emergency vehicles." In fact, I didn't know it wasn't a law at some point until just now.

Originally Posted by BigCountry

This law is obviously meant to protect emergency personnel working the scene of an emergency, but a traffic stop is not an emergency and the cop can't really say he was reasonably endangered by traffic...

I'm with Barkingowl. On the contrary, the internet is full of videos that would prove to you the dangers of being stopped on the side of the road. It's like passing drivers can't help but stare at the scene and then drive their cars right into it. It's unbelievable, and yet the in-car camera the cops have record it all.

A simple Google search turns up...
(WARNING: these are difficult to watch, and graphic, but will definitely put an end to the idea of not being "reasonably endangered!")
One in North Carolina:
North carolina traffic stop gone wrong - Dumpalink.com

Here's one here:

YouTube - Horrific police stop accident

Here's a handful of them on this page, just from Ohio:
Ohio State Highway Patrol -- Video Gallery

And that's just the cops. You get the idea.

[BigCountry]

I hear you guys.

But I fail to understand the argument on how a random traffic stop (expired license tag, tail light, even a speeding violation) is comparable to a road side emergency. I guess that's a totally different issue/argument though.

There really is no way to protect someone on the side of a road from a stupid driver (he/she can fall asleep, black out, and run right into you, law or not). So I guess the good drivers pay the price for their mistakes..seems very democratic! lol

[Carolina_native]

Originally Posted by BigCountry

I hear you guys.

But I fail to understand the argument on how a random traffic stop (expired license tag, tail light, even a speeding violation) is comparable to a road side emergency. I guess that's a totally different issue/argument though.

There really is no way to protect someone on the side of a road from a stupid driver (he/she can fall asleep, black out, and run right into you, law or not). So I guess the good drivers pay the price for their mistakes..seems very democratic! lol

I still am failing to see your point. A stopped emergency vehicle on the side of the road, move over. It does not have to be an emergency to have you comply with the law. Very simple!

I dont care if its a citizen changing their tire, I still move over.

[BigCountry]

Originally Posted by Carolina_native

A stopped emergency vehicle on the side of the road, move over. It does not have to be an emergency to have you comply with the law.

What you just said is my point.
hehe

[himain]

People were getting picked off like toothpicks in Fl. They started that law a couple of years ago. It did help but theres still deaths. My brother is a firefighter and this concerns me as far as his safety.

[the 7 oh 4]

Originally Posted by BigCountry

I drove from 485 Indepence to 485 Ft Mill Exit and did not see any signs on the way home from church tonight.

What type of signs am I looking for exactly?

Anyway, any cop who isn't an idiot, when pulling someone over on a high-speed roadway, will pull their vehicle over offset to whoever they're pulling over, then approach the passenger side. This law is obviously meant to protect emergency personnel working the scene of an emergency, but a traffic stop is not an emergency and the cop can't really say he was reasonably endangered by traffic...

They might not be on I-485 yet...but they are on I-77 and I-85

[NCyank]

Originally Posted by BigCountry

What you just said is my point.
hehe

*Taking the bait*

The law covers all emergency response vehicles regardless of the reason they are on the side of the road. Police vehicles, ambulance, firetrucks...they could be responding to an accident, writing a ticket, eating lunch or just sitting there, waiting to write a ticket if you don't move over....


Some of you are seriously tempting fate by questioning this IMO. Me...I am moving over, knocking on wood, tossing some salt over my shoulder and keep a lucky rabbit's foot in my glove box.