For years, Pennsylvania has operated under a "Steer Clear" law designed to protect police and other first responders at the scene of a vehicle accident from oncoming traffic. After the unfortunate death of Halifax firefighter, the state has taken steps to make essential changes to the law.
Despite these efforts, motor vehicle accidents remain a constant threat on Pennsylvania highways. While the law could lead to reduced risks for first responders, the motorists involved in these crashes remain at risk for significant injuries. A Montgomery County, PA car accident lawyer could help an injured motorist understand their rights and pursue a legal claim based on their injuries.
The Passing of Tyler Laudenslager
Tyler Laudenslager-a father, husband, and off-duty firefighter-was killed while serving as a tow truck driver in July of 2020. The accident that took Laudenslager's life resulted from a driver that lost control in the westbound lane of I-78. Laudenslager, who was working as a tow truck driver at a nearby accident scene, was killed by the out-of-control vehicle. In total, four people were taken to the hospital due to the crash.
The death brought on calls for changes to Pennsylvania's so-called "Steer Clear" law. This law, referred to as a "Move Over" law in the other 49 states, assigned penalties to drivers that failed to move over one lane when approaching the scene of an accident or police stop on the side of the road.
For many, the penalties associated with a violation of this statute were inadequate. Under the law, a first-time offender that fails to steer clear of an accident scene would face only a fine of $250. The fine doubles in cases where the driver was also cited for traffic violations at the time. If the driver injured an emergency worker or police officer, the state will suspend their license for 90 days.
Changes to the Steer Clear Law
The first change to the law was the name itself. Now Pennsylvania is in line with other states by calling it the Move Over law. The law goes much farther than a name change, however. It requires drivers to move over a lane when passing an accident or police stop. If that is not a realistic possibility, the driver must reduce their speed by 20 miles per hour. The penalties are much steeper than before, too. In addition to adding points to a driver's license, the fines have also increased substantially as well.
The Impact on Injury Claims
A citation for a Move Over law violation could also have implications in personal injury lawsuits. If a claim results from an accident at the scene of a previous crash, a violation of the Move Over statute could be useful evidence in proving negligence.
While this statute only addresses situations involving emergency personnel, the hope is that it will reduce accidents for everyone. Despite these efforts, accidents will remain a part of life throughout the Commonwealth. If you have suffered an injury in an accident, do not hesitate to seek out legal counsel to discuss your options.
