CHARLESTON, W.Va. — New legislation aimed at protecting anyone working alongside a major highway in West Virginia will become active this week.
Known as the “Move Over” law, motorists will need to get into the far lane away from anybody pulled to the side of the highway. It has been the law for some time that motorists to give a wide berth to law enforcement working the edge of the highway, but the new measure which passed the Legislature this year adds highway workers, emergency vehicle, or even a disabled motorist to the list.
“It may be oversimplifying things, but we’ve got to use some common sense, ” said Rodney Miller a former sheriff, former state lawmaker, and now executive director of the West Virginia Sheriff’s Association.
Miller, who spent time in law enforcement is well aware of the dangers of working near the white line. He admitted on MetroNews “Talkline” he’s had his share of close calls.
“Absolutely and that will make you a believer as quick as anything,” he said.
Although the new law added more to the list of vehicles you need to give a wide berth, it did not increase the penalty. A violation remains a misdemeanor and the fine not less than a $1,000 or more than $5,000. A violator could be sentenced to less than six months in jail as well.
“While you have responders working along the highway, they’re doing that for us. We need to take the first step to make that response better,” said Miller. “It’s tragically evident people are losing their lives on the highway in traffic stops, work construction, and sometimes just disabled vehicles. We’re going to have to pay attention to other drivers and what is around us.”