Lack of Common Sense = $490 Fine and 3 demerit points
Why is it we need to legislate what should be common sense. Why was it necessary to legislate that when approaching any emergency vehicle on the roadside with lights flashing, you must enter the left lane to pass. As a child drivers always drew over to the opposite lane when passing a stopped vehicle let alone an emergency vehicle. they would pull over to the curb and stop when they were approaching from behind or ahead unless on a divided highway. Out of respect you even pulled over to the side to let a funeral pass from the opposite direction and never tried to pass one going the same direction.
Fast forward to today and the right now generation and we need legislation to enforce what should be a common courtesy.
When taking a road trip or even out for a drive about town remember the hard lesson in common courtesy the fellow below was taught.
Here is an email I received showing that going halfway is not good enough
While driving on the 427 South at Burnamthorpe in broad daylight at 2 p.m., when I came upon two police cruisers who had pulled over a third vehicle. I slowed down to be cautious, and was surprised when the second cruiser pulled out and pulled me over. Approaching on the passenger side, the officer asked if I knew why I had been pulled over.. I honestly expressed that I had no idea. He informed me that Ontario law now states that when approaching any emergency vehicle on the roadside with lights flashing, you must enter the left lane. He then proceeded to ticket me, taking three demerits and issuing a fine of, wait for it...$490! (Yes, I'm choking as I type that.) I realize I did not change lanes, but I do believe I was cautious.
My message is, be careful. He said that they are cracking down hard on this because of injured officers. I did not realize this was the law. Neither did any of my recently-licensed children. Or evidently not the 47 drivers pulled over.
Hefty fine if you don't change lanes!!!!!!! 3 demerit points on top of cash.
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OK so seriously?? The officer ticketed him after slowing down to protect the officers? There has to be more to the story? Was he slowing down from 80 MPH?
That's a fairly new law in North Carolina as well. It's just common sense.
usually when a new law or rule comes into effect the officers will give a warning...wow! that is a big fine
Sorry about your ticket. It amazes me how many people will not pull over when an emergency vehicle approaches them. I wonder what they would think if they or one of their love ones where in need of help.
Chris - he failed to move over one lane it is not enough to slow down.
Jeff - indeed it is
Debbie - This law has been around for some time ... it's not new
Kathy,
I didn't realize this was now law ....thanks for the heads up! Sorry to hear about your friend's ticket....he must have been very shocked.
Jo
Larry - Not Me :-) - it was the person who wrote the email that was surprised when he got the ticket
Jo - welcome back I've missed your excellent writing skills here in the rain
Kathy, having been on the road for more years than I care to admit. I learned early and practiced common sense on the road. I've seen the signs in Illinois about going into the left lane when approaching emergency vehicles-and have always done so. Well, once I did not...about five months ago...driving I-57 south in Illinois I approached the emergency vehicles-lights flashing...apparently I had a short circut because I didn't move left. I was pulled over...the officer ask if I knew why I was being stopped...I didn't (I thought speeding) then he told me...well I got off with just a citation...I consider myself a good driver and even surprised myself that I didn't instinctually move to the left.
Too much of a long story...I really wanted to agree with you regarding the way drivers act on the road today...and for the most part...it's pathetic.
That was/is a hard lesson in today's economy. You just have to be careful out there regardless.
Kathy, I witnessed this a few days ago. There was a broken water main on the side of the road and the police cruiser's wheels were still on the right lane, and I pulled over to the middle lane, but the person behind me didn't ... and was pulled over by a second police car that was parked slightly ahead. You never know when you can be too close ... if your mirror touches theirs, you could cause a major traffic accident, not to mention you can kill someone.
It is just common sense... move over.
Nick - some times instincts are not enough ... certainly a reminder that when driving we need to focus on driving and be aware of what is going on around us not the cell phone not the argument you may have had just before you left home or the office, and certainly not on the driver who is going just a little to slow for your liking ... glad it did not cost you
Robert - but one that will be remembered
Sylvie - and they saw you pull over ... sometimes you have to wonder