The Pennsylvania State Police would like to remind motorists of Title 75 Section 3327 “Duty of Driver in Emergency Response Areas.”

Otherwise, known as the “Steer Clear Law” or “Move Over Law,” which requires drivers to move over or slow down when they encounter an emergency scene, traffic stop or disabled vehicle.

This law will help prevent injuries and save lives, but only if drivers follow the law and use common sense.

When approaching or passing an emergency response area, a person, unless otherwise directed by an emergency service responder, shall:

· Pass in a lane not adjacent to that of the emergency response area, if possible; or

· If passing in a nonadjacent lane is impossible, illegal or unsafe, pass the emergency response area at a careful and prudent reduced speed reasonable for safely passing the emergency response area.

Emergency responders that you must move over for include police, fire department, EMS, tow trucks, PENNDOT personnel, and other roadside assistance vehicles.

If you fail to move over, you could face a fine of $250 for a first offense, $500 for a second offense, and $1,000 for a third or subsequent offense.

Repeat offenders face a license suspension and violators who cause bodily injury or death of an emergency responder face additional license suspensions and fines of up to $10,000.

Please move over for all emergency responders. Their lives depend on it.

For more information on the Pennsylvania State Police, visit www.psp.pa.gov.