Robin Fitzgerald
The Sun Herald
Copyright 2007 The Sun Herald
BILOXI, Miss. — Traffic safety warnings for this Fourth of July season go beyond the usual “slow down and buckle up” to include “move over.”
Effective Sunday, a new law requires motorists on four-lane highways to yield the right-of-way when passing a stationary emergency vehicle that is flashing its lights. That means changing lanes if possible when approaching the flashing lights of a parked patrol car, ambulance, firetruck, tow truck or a road maintenance vehicle.
Public-safety officials remind motorists that the new law coincides with what many will celebrate as an extended weekend. July 4 is Wednesday, but the American Automobile Association expects more than 41 million Americans will be on the road, many as early as today.
The new law applies on roads with at least two lanes of travel in the same direction. Failing to move over or to slow down when you can’t change lanes is a misdemeanor charge. The penalty is a fine of up to $250, or up to $1,000 if failure to yield causes property damage or injury to an emergency vehicle or related personnel.
American Medical Response spokesman Rick Fayard said the new law strengthens an older law that requires motorists to yield to emergency vehicles responding to calls.
Life or death can hang in the balance as an emergency vehicle maneuvers through traffic, said Fayard. “The new law will help protect our personnel and our patients as we respond to a scene, stabilize patients and try to transport them quickly to a hospital.”
It also provides more protection for state troopers and other patrol officers who stop motorists on a highway.
“When you pull over a vehicle, you’re basically out there on the side of the road with vehicles coming by two feet from the back of you,” said Master Sgt. Joe Gazzo of the Mississippi Highway Patrol. “This can prevent accidents and lower the chance of our personnel being hurt.”
If the flashing lights are on the right side of the road, move to the left side, or vice versa. If traffic is too heavy to change lanes, slow down below the posted speed limit and be prepared to stop, said Larry L. “Butch” Brown, executive director of the Mississippi Department of Transportation.
At an intersection, motorists should stop clear of the crossing and remain in position until the emergency vehicle has passed or drivers are directed to continue.
Gazzo said state troopers will hold road blocks and will be looking for impaired and reckless drivers.
Today through Wednesday, community events and casino activities will likely snarl traffic in the city and other areas of Harrison County, said Biloxi Police Sgt. Jackie Rhodes.
“Please allow enough time to get where you need to go and expect delays,” Rhodes said. “Don’t expect to get anywhere in a hurry.”