You drive on the highway, you see flashing blue and red lights and the driver in front of you does not make any attempt to slow down or move over and just speeds by first responders. Although NJ has a Law to prevent that, we still see drivers speeding by first responders. And there are serious consequences as the mother of a first responder killed in the line of duty knows all to well. Marc Castellano, a father of two, died in 2010, a few weeks before hid 30th birthday. He was one of the 1,300 plus law enforcement deaths since 2010. All struck and killed on our highways while doing their job.
November 9-15, 2020 was declared National Traffic Incident Response Awareness Week to help raise awareness and promote safety for emergency responders. We want to remind everyone when you see flashing lights on the side of the road, slow down, and if it’s safe, Move Over – away from police, fire crews, paramedics and service trucks drivers. If you make the move, others will follow.
In NJ it is the law with a penalty of 2 points on your license in addition to a fine of up $500.
New Jersey Statute 39:4-92.2
Procedure for motorist approaching certain stationary vehicle
1a. The operator of a motor vehicle approaching a stationary authorized emergency vehicle as defined in R.S.39:1-1 that is displaying a flashing, blinking or alternating red or blue light or, any configuration of lights containing one of these colors, shall approach the authorized emergency vehicle with due caution and shall, absent any other direction by a law enforcement 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 pursuant to paragraph (1) of subsection a. of this section 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 tow truck as defined in section 1 of P.L.1999, c.396 (C.39:3-84.6) that is displaying a flashing amber light, a stationary highway maintenance or emergency service vehicle that is operated by the State, an authority or a county or municipality and displaying flashing yellow, amber, or red lights, or a stationary sanitation vehicle displaying a flashing amber warning light pursuant to section 1 of P.L.2011, c.3 (C.39:3-54.27) shall approach the vehicle with due caution and shall, absent any other direction by a law enforcement officer, proceed as follows:
(1) Make a lane change into a lane not adjacent to the tow truck, highway maintenance or emergency service vehicle, or sanitation vehicle if possible, in the existing safety and traffic conditions; or
(2) If a lane change under paragraph (1) of subsection b. of this section 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.
- A violation of this section shall be punished by a fine of not less than $100 and not more than $500.