Michigan’s Move Over Law Campaign: How to Avoid a Car Accident

Police in Lansing are pulling people over on I-96 looking for seat belt violations, speeding, and ensuring that everyone is moving over. Why move over?

Because it’s the law.

What’s the Move Over Law?

Michigan’s Move Over law is about giving emergency vehicles their right of way. People who fail to pull onto the shoulder or merge into the outside lane can be subject to penalties under the law.

The More Over Law applies to any emergency vehicle with their emergency hazard lights on – it’s your reminder to proceed with the utmost caution.

Failing to move over isn’t cheap, and the consequences are harsh:

• $500 or imprisonment for not more than 90 days, or both, for failing to move over for an officer on the side of the road or approaching behind you.
• If you injure an officer, then you’ll be guilty of a felony punishable by a fine of not more than $1,000 or imprisonment for not more than 2 years, or both.
• If you kill an emergency driver with their lights on, then you are guilty of a felony punishable by a fine of not more than $7,500 or by imprisonment for not more than 15 years, or both.

All too often we hear about incidents involving police officers being hit on the side of the road by someone driving recklessly. Working on the side of the highway is dangerous for police officers, medics, and firefighters. The law aims to protect their interest.

At Goodwin & Scieszka, we want to remind you to move over.

Give ample space to emergency vehicles working on the side of Michigan’s roadways to avoid a car accident. Slow down and move over for ALL emergency vehicles approaching you with their lights on.

While it’s the law, it’s often overlooked, and we want to raise awareness to protect Michigan’s law enforcement personnel.

Remember, move over…