New law in NJ

[gnxtc2]

Effective immediately 39:4-92.2.

39:4-92.2 Procedure for motorist approaching stationary authorized emergency vehicle, tow truck, highway maintenance or emergency service vehicle.
1. a. 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 or 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 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 or highway maintenance or emergency service 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.

c.A violation of this section shall be punished by a fine of not less than $100 and not more than $500.

L.2009, c.5, s.1.

Pretty much, place an empty lane between yourself and the emergency vehicle on the roadway.

Billy T.
gnxtc2@aol.com

 

[SFITurbo]

Good law, we have it down here. Too many cases of emergency workers getting hit. May be difficult with the high volume of traffic up there though, just use common sense and driver courtesy.

 

[stagemonster]

Good law, we have it down here. Too many cases of emergency workers getting hit. May be difficult with the high volume of traffic up there though, just use common sense and driver courtesy.

+1

 

[GNBRETT]

I wouldn't hold ur breath on that one Billy. It's hard enough to get people to not pass you at a 100 mph, let alone move over two lanes to avoid you...

 

[gs462]

+1

We have it here too but you wouldn't believe how many IDIOTS just dont get it. the same people who drive in the slow lane past an on ramp.

 

[Dwayne]

Same law here in Indiana.

 

[turbofrank]

We have that in Va too.

 

[krom415]

hmmm...i wonder what to do when they block 3 lanes on 80 for road repairs during rush hour ..

 

[ttypewe4jim]

We have the same law here but Ive RARELY seen it enforced

 

[Sleeper-6]

Good Law, Too bad most will never be informed of it and even less will follow it. I can't count how many times I've been tempted to throw a hyrdant wrench through the window of some of the idiots driving by.

 

[Boostedpimp]

makes total sense, i've always tried to do that anyways glad to see it's actually a law

 

[VETKILR]

We enforce it here in Vegas. When myself or one of my buddies are doing traffic stops (especially motor cycle units we play dominoes). Pretty much they pull over someone, another car will not give a clear lane and they pull him over and they will go up and down a street doing this! It should be common sense but then again most people lack that so it is what it is!

 

[Pronto]

Don't know if we have that in NH but I always did that figuring they would appreciate me giving them as much room as possible.

 

[Aztlanahauc]

We have here in Utah also.

 

[GNVYUS 1]

Wow, I thought this was law everywhere, except this part..

b.The operator of a motor vehicle approaching a stationary tow truck

Uh, a tow truck is in the same sentence as Ambulance/Fire/Police vehicles??

 

[ttypewe4jim]

Wow, I thought this was law everywhere, except this part..

b.The operator of a motor vehicle approaching a stationary tow truck

Uh, a tow truck is in the same sentence as Ambulance/Fire/Police vehicles??

Il bet I get flamed for this but.... Tow truck drivers are first responders also IMO

 

[gnxtc2]

Il bet I get flamed for this but.... Tow truck drivers are first responders also IMO

Depends........

If they called by an law enforcement agency, then they are first responders.

If they are cruising the roadways for prey, then they are vultures.

Billy T.
gnxtc2@aol.com

 

[SilverSleeper]

Don't know if its a law here in NY, but it just makes common sense. Put yourself in that position.
Should apply to vehicles in the broken down lane with flashers on too. Its too dangerous to get out and change a flat, or open your hood.
And tow truck drivers should be given the same courtesy.

Case in point, when I had my Astro, the idiots that replaced my rear axle bearings cranked on the lugs with an impact. A few days later, I'm driving to work on an interstate (speed limit 65mph, and a major trucking road). I feel the rear start to get loose, and the drivers rear tire shears off all 5 studs and goes rolling past me. I'm swerving, trying not to hit other cars, and not to hit the guardrail. Since it was an AWD, I managed to get it into the breakdown lane with no body damage, just a busted up rear axle. If it was a RWD, I probably would have flipped it over at those speeds without the G80 axle and the front wheels pulling me.
I put on my flashers, and call AAA and the state troopers. Troopers say it would take them about 20 minutes (yeah, great, especially seeing as how I'm literally one exit, about 2 miles from their barracks..since I was in the breakdown lane, apparently I wasn't a priority)
AAA says about 15-20 minutes. Ended up being 20, and never saw one trooper. idk if a state trooper car with emergency lights on behind me would have made a difference or not.
In that amount of time, most cars would not even change lanes or slow down, even without another car anywhere near them. I never got out once, to inspect the damage. I could have been on fire, had gas leaking, who knows what. But I was scared to set foot out of my van. Even the 18 wheelers wouldn't move. And you could see me, from more than a 1/4 mile away. It was very visible to anyone driving on that highway. I actually had one car I swear was gonna hit me, wasn't paying any attention and was halfway on the shoulder, and almost wrecked trying to get back into the lane he was driving in.
Took us forever to get the Astro loaded on the rollback, just because no one would freaking move over, and the drivers of the truck had to keep stepping back, or else get mowed over.

I had to tow my sisters car out of a busy intersection not that long ago with my Cruiser, using a tow strap, since we literally were only moving the car around the block. I bought magnetic mount emergency amber lights and put them on the top of my car. I'd rather be fined and taken to court than be run over.

So with that, I always move, or slow way down, even if its a car on the side of the road. You never know when its someone thats broken down and trying to change a flat, or someone that may need help. Blowing by them at speed is flat out dangerous.

 

[xrunner123]

Cops in Jersey always park at a 20deg angle or so to put their vehicle in the path of a possible hit.