Move Over Law!
This blog is to publicize a relatively recent change in New Jersey motor vehicle law that affects us all. This statute is referred to as the "New Jersey Move Over Law" (N.J.S.A. 39:4-92.2). The law reads that the operator of a vehicle approaching a stationary emergency vehicle, e.g., police car, ambulance, etc., that is displaying flashing emergency lights shall approach the emergency vehicle with due caution and shall either (1) make a lane change into a lane not adjacent to the emergency vehicle if possible in the existing safety and traffic conditions; or (2) If a lane change would be impossible, then reduce the speed of the vehicle to a reasonable and proper speed for the existing roadway and traffic conditions, which shall be less than the posted speed limit.
What does that mean in practical terms? If you're driving along the road and you see something like a police car with its lights on at the shoulder of the road, you should move over a lane if you can. If changing lanes is impossible, then you should slow down considerably and pass the police car with extreme caution. The penalty for this ticket is a fine between $100 and $500 and two motor vehicle points. With this degree of potential expense and long term inconvenience of points on your license, you should contact an attorney immediately in order to defend against and potentially lessen these charges or challenge their validity.