Steer Clear Law

In Pennsylvania, most drivers are aware that they are required to move over or slow down when approaching an emergency response vehicle that has its emergency lights on. This includes police officers, ambulances, fire trucks, and tow trucks. The law states “When approaching or passing an emergency response area, a person, unless otherwise directed by an emergency service responder, shall:”

  1. pass in a lane not adjacent to that of the emergency response area, if possible; or
  2. if passing in a nonadjacent lane is impossible, illegal or unsafe, pass the emergency response area at a careful and prudent reduced speed reasonable for safely passing the emergency response area.

Violation of this may include a fine of up to $250 and a driver’s license suspension for up to 90 days.

Slow Down to Get Around

A lesser known, newly enacted law about moving over is in effect in Pennsylvania. This new law is commonly referred to as “slow down to get around” and requires drivers to treat trash and recycle collection trucks the same way they would an emergency response vehicle. The penalty for breaking this law is not yet set in Article 75 of the PA crimes code. The new law states “Upon approaching and passing a stationary solid waste collection vehicle that is giving a visual signal b means of bright yellow strobe light… the driver of an approaching vehicle shall proceed as follows:”

  1. make a lane change into a lane not adjacent to the solid waste collection vehicle, if possible in the existing safety and traffic conditions; or
  2. if a lane change under paragraph (1) 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 shall be less than the posted speed limit, and be prepared to stop

Law Office of Vincent J. Caputo

Here at the Law Office of Vincent J. Caputo, we want to remind everyone to be safe out on the road. It is our goal to inform our clients and friends of new and updated laws so that you do not get in legal trouble. In the event that you or a loved on gets into legal trouble, our experienced legal team is here to help. Your future? Our priority!