N.C. ‘Move Over’ Law Expanded to Help Protect Utility Crews

RALEIGH – The N. C. legislature recently approved changes to the state’s “Move Over” law, which aims to protect emergency service workers on state roadways. The changes, which go into effect December 1, will modify the law’s existing definition of a public-service vehicle to include those driven by electric-utility workers responding to outages or other emergencies.

 The law requires motorists passing a public-service vehicle that is operating a warning signal to move their vehicles into a nearby lane or reduce speed if they are unable to move over. Failure to do so can create a safety hazard for the workers and can result in a fine for the driver of the vehicle.

Despite Progress Energy’s safety program to protect crews operating near roads, there have been incidents in recent years involving vehicles striking stopped utility trucks. Such incidents endanger the lives of utility crews as well as drivers and their passengers.