Why Va has a Move Over Law (Arlington: live, dangerous)

[Bigfoot424]

For those complaining about this law and the tickets you receive. Here's why the law went into effect.


http://www.liveleak.com/view?i=db2_1265764396

[eyeball]

Who's complained? The only complaint I had was when I moved here, I didn't know what the hell "Slow Down Move Over" meant. To someone who doesn't know and sees a sign like that for the first time, it sounds like when a cop is coming up behind you, you should slow down and move over. To which the response is, "no kidding." It's not the most intuitive thing and someone in marketing probably could have come up with a better tag line.

[Bigfoot424]

There have been complaints on here. Some from people getting tickets and some from supporters of those complaining about the tickets. I still maintain that there is no need to advertise the law as it should be common sense anyway.

[ngadude]

I've seen the complaints on here too. It is kind of common sense, but too bad it has to be a law. Sometimes unfortunately you have to "legislate common sense".

[dkf747]

Originally Posted by Bigfoot424

There have been complaints on here. Some from people getting tickets and some from supporters of those complaining about the tickets. I still maintain that there is no need to advertise the law as it should be common sense anyway.

That video proves that it is not common sense.

[tgbwc]

I had to stop watching after the first couple.

[car54]

My objection to the law is:

a) not well publicized
b) vague and subjective...how slow?...how can an officer, who can't see what you can see in your mirror decide if it is safe for you to move over.
c) severity of penalty...it's a class 1 misdemeanor...the same as DRUNK DRIVING and reckless driving!

And it WON'T increase safety...anybody that can't pass a vehicle on the shoulder without crashing into it...is stupid/clueless. No law will change that.

[COACHSTING]

Bigfoot..... Thanks for posting this. It should be better publicized, but your effort provides an even better margin of safety for our officers, deputies and troopers.

[The Dissenter]

Originally Posted by car54

My objection to the law is:

a) not well publicized
b) vague and subjective...how slow?...how can an officer, who can't see what you can see in your mirror decide if it is safe for you to move over.
c) severity of penalty...it's a class 1 misdemeanor...the same as DRUNK DRIVING and reckless driving!

And it WON'T increase safety...anybody that can't pass a vehicle on the shoulder without crashing into it...is stupid/clueless. No law will change that.

The cops could also use better judgement on where they have cars pull up to when they get pulled over. I saw an Arlington cop have someone stop right on Glebe Rd. Not only did it hold up rush hour traffic it is just plain dangerous. Interstates are one thing but they should just have the person pull right to the right edge of the road.

[Bigfoot424]

Originally Posted by Alanboy395

The cops could also use better judgement on where they have cars pull up to when they get pulled over. I saw an Arlington cop have someone stop right on Glebe Rd. Not only did it hold up rush hour traffic it is just plain dangerous. Interstates are one thing but they should just have the person pull right to the right edge of the road.

An officer is trained to make the stop in a place that causes the least amount of aggravation to other motorists and with safety in mind. unfortunately many people panic at the sight of red and blue lights and stop in the worse places. Officers will have the driver move to a safer location if at all possible but some people are so nervous that making them move might make things worse. I once told someone to move 30 feet up to the entrance to a parking lot and they put the car into reverse and backed into my car.
And Alanboy--Do you know for certain the officer stopped this car right there or could it have been a stranded motorist? Based on what you wrote I doubt you know but you've already formed the opinion the officer screwed up.