FCPD Joins “Move Over” Effort; Enforcement & Education Began Friday, May 29

Officer’s vehicle struck in 2013 while he pulled someone over on the shoulder of I-66 near Route 50

FCPD joined Virginia State Police in educating motorists about Virginia’s “Move Over” law with an enforcement and education blitz on Friday morning, May 29.

Officers and troopers patrolled heavily traveled thoroughfares in Northern Virginia, such as Routes 28, 50, 286 (Fairfax County Parkway), 267 (Dulles Toll Road) and Interstates 66, 495, and 95 throughout the morning hours. Dozens of motorists who chose not to comply with the state Move Over law (which requires all vehicles to either move over a lane or, when unable to change lanes safely, to slow down and cautiously pass emergency vehicles with flashing lights) were stopped by police.

Fairfax County officers issued a total of 34 summonses and 8 warnings; 13 for violation of the Move Over law. Virginia State Police issued a total of 160 summonses; including 69 for the Move Over law, 6 for reckless driving, and 27 for speeding during the Friday morning effort. Motorists were also given educational information about the Move Over law. The summons also included equipment violations, reckless driving and other violations.

There will be additional Move Over initiatives all month across Fairfax County, including one that begins in the Sully Police District on Tuesday, June 2.

Officers and troopers were briefed at the FCPD Operations Support Bureau prior to the enforcement/education effort.

Nationwide, the FBI reports that 101 law enforcement professionals have been struck while conducting traffic stops, directing traffic, or working on the shoulder of the roadway between 2004-2013. The Virginia General Assembly established the “Move Over” law in 2002, and was amended to include highway maintenance and roadside assistance vehicles equipped with flashing amber lights in 2010.