move over law Archives - Comedy Defensive Driving®

OPERATION CARE

Daun Thompson — Tue, 28 Jan 2020 13:00:11 +0000

The Department of Public Safety (DPS) has been stepping up enforcement of the Move Over/Slow Down Law through Operation CARE (Crash Awareness and Reduction Effort). This provides law enforcement with information, training and a forum for discussing roadway safety issues. These issues include the improvement of public safety on our roads and highways. In 1978, every U.S. state became part of this effort in order to deter speeding, impaired driving and failure to use occupant restraints. So, originally this effort focused more on the protection of the public, rather than the protection of law enforcement.

OPERATION CARE’S ROLE IN ACCIDENT REDUCTION

State police and highway patrol agencies have joined together with the goal of reducing human suffering on our highways. And it is the only national program designed to draw ALL state level law enforcement agencies together to achieve common goals of traffic accident reduction. Their efforts created the standardized field sobriety testing and the support of mandatory seat belt use legislation back in 1984. And I do remember when a driver could have an open container in the car as well as when you did not have to wear a seat belt. Your mom’s forearm was your seat belt.

MOVE OVER/SLOW DOWN LAW

And now, efforts are also focusing on enforcement of the Move Over/Slow Down Law. Passed in 2003, this law requires motorists to move over or slow down 20mph below the posted speed limit when passing emergency vehicles or service vehicles that are stopped on the side of the road with emergency lights flashing. This includes Police, Ambulance, Fire Trucks, Tow Trucks, the Department of Transportation, etc. These workers risk their lives every day for us. And their safety is particularly vulnerable while working on the side of the road.

Today all 50 states, American Samoa, Guam, Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands, and the provinces of Ontario and Quebec are involved in C.A.R.E.

Until next week…
Daun Thompson
Writer / Comedienne / Artist

OPERATION CARE – Comedy Defensive Driving

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STRANDED VEHICLE

Daun Thompson — Tue, 31 Dec 2019 13:00:25 +0000

My newer car shows me how many miles worth of fuel that I have in my tank. I’m not sure if that’s highway miles or city miles. It warns me when there is only 35 miles of fuel in my tank. It’s a bit ridiculous, I think, since I could go several days without driving 35 miles. The dinging and flashing doesn’t stop until I fuel up. I spent the holiday with my little old mom in Illinois. When at home, I always drive her around in her 2007 Cadillac. That way, she can relax and be chauffeured around like Driving Miss Daisy. We’d been driving for about five days, apparently on fumes. I hadn’t paid attention that her old school fuel gauge was on empty until we ran out of gas on a four-lane interstate, at night, in the middle of nowhere, with no visible mile markers or street lights. Dozens of big rigs flying by, and not moving over when they passed our stranded vehicle.

NOT THE FIRST TIME

Initially, we laughed about it and my mom reminded about the last time she ran out of gas, about 40 years ago when she was taking us to school. She thought she’d just be dropping us off, so she had on her pajamas, a bath robe and big fuzzy pink house slippers. In the dead of winter in Illinois, walking to the gas station with her gas can. When she got back to the car, those fuzzy slippers were packed in snow, making them look about 5 times their actual size, making it impossible to walk in. Again, this was the LAST time she ever let her fuel gauge get that low. But, again, I was driving and she was riding along. Neither of us paying attention to the empty gas gauge. So here, 40 years later, we found ourselves in a most dangerous predicament.

ALWAYS HAVE A PLAN

In hindsight, I wish I’d had a plan so we hadn’t sat there in danger for so long.The entire assistance process is so very different, state-to-state. In my state, there is a phone number on the back of your driver license for Roadside Assistance and Emergencies. Our tax dollars here pay to dispatch help if you find yourself stranded on any highway or tollway with a flat tire or if you run out of gas. But here, in another state, I wasn’t sure what to do. So we called the roadside assistance number on my mom’s insurance card. After about 40 nerve-racking minutes, they dispatched help from an hour away! What the heck? I searched service stations in the area, but most were closed or not calling back. So I went online to the Illinois Highway Patrol website. It said to call 9-1-1 for help. Here, if you called 9-1-1 because you ran out of gas, they’d let you have it for tying up emergency lines. But, I called the number, they sent a State Trooper who took us to a station, got us gas and we went on our way!

WHAT TO DO WHEN YOU’RE CAR IS STRANDED

Again, have a plan. Have your insurance card ready and easy to locate. Have your phone charged up, bring blankets if it’s cold. Pull as close off the shoulder as possible to leave more space between your car and those passing. But not too far off the shoulder that your 83 year old mom won’t open the door and fall into the ditch. And pay attention to your gas gauge. Unlike your insurance’s roadside assistance, it doesn’t lie.

Until next week…
Daun Thompson
Writer / Comedienne / Artist

STRANDED VEHICLE – Comedy Defensive Driving

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The Spirit Ride

Daun Thompson — Mon, 13 Nov 2017 16:07:22 +0000

All tow truck drivers are required to take a defensive driving course prior to renewing their city permits. I can usually tell if someone in my Comedy Defensive Driving class is a tow truck driver because they often resemble Grizzly Adams with their ZZ-Top, lumbersexual type beards. I have also learned to tell the difference between the ones that come to your rescue (like a knight in shining armor) when your car is broken down, or the ones that either repo cars or snatch them away while you’re in a bar with your friends having a good time, which is later squelched when you go outside and your car is gone. Either way, it’s a dangerous job. In 2011, Texas passed an addendum to the Move Over Law. You are now required to steer clear of tow truck drivers working on the side of the road. The Move Over/Slow Down law requires motorists to move over or slow down when certain vehicles are stopped on the side of the road with emergency lights activated. Motorists are required to vacate the lane closest to the stopped vehicle (if there is more than one available lane in the same direction of travel) or slow to 20 miles below the speed limit. An organization called The Spirit Ride honors those tragically killed in roadside accidents. In 2014 alone, 33 tow truck operators were killed while trying to rescue stranded drivers, according to the U.S. Department of Labor Statistics. And those numbers continue to increase annually. In fact, the numbers show a tow truck driver dies on average every six days.

Slow Down, Move Over laws are in effect in all fifty states. They require passing vehicles to move over one lane or slow down when approaching an incident where tow operators, police, fire fighters and EMS people are working. Sadly, 71% of Americans have not heard of “Move Over” laws, according to a poll by the National Safety Commission. The Spirit Ride is designed to draw media attention to Move-Over laws and the needless sacrifices towers and other first responders make in serving the motoring public and transportation industry. To date, over 300 towing companies have signed up to carry the “Spirit” by car carrier as towers continue to volunteer to participate and also lend their ideas to the project. You can find more information on their facebook page at the link below:
https://www.facebook.com/atspiritride

Until next week…

Daun Thompson
Writer / Comedienne / Artist

The Spirit Ride – Comedy Defensive Driving

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Traffic Stops – What to do when a Cop Pulls You Over

Daun Thompson — Mon, 13 Mar 2017 16:49:51 +0000

Perhaps it’s because I’m from a small town or maybe it’s clear that I’m just that old, but we used to get out of our car to meet the police officer half-way when we got pulled over. It was common courtesy for traffic stops. Boy has that changed. For their safety and for yours, you never want to exit your vehicle unless asked to. And, yes, it is mandatory that you do so if requested to. Since traffic stops are becoming more dangerous and police are concerned about weapons, there is a proper checklist that you should be required to know before getting pulled over. In fact, some states are now adding traffic stop etiquette to their driver exam. Illinois, Missouri, Kentucky, Arizona, Georgia, New Jersey, Virginia, North Carolina, Texas, Nebraska and Rhode Island are now requiring that drivers know how to behave when being pulled over and this is being incorporated into driver education in those states as well.

What to do when you get pulled over:
• Remain calm. Obviously, the sirens and lights are upsetting. But the police officer will be more at ease if you are calm.
• Roll all of your windows down so the officer can see inside the car. Turn on the interior lights at night. Put your hands on the steering wheel, open, so they can see that you’re not concealing a weapon.
• Don’t reach for anything until the officer approaches the car and asks for your driver license, proof of insurance and perhaps even your registration. No sudden moves.
• They will likely ask you if you know why they stopped you.
• They may ask you to step out of the car. If so, you are required to comply.
• They may ask to search your car. You may say no. It is your right. A warrant will then need to be obtained.
• They may touch your car to leave fingerprints and proof that they came in contact with your car.

Pulling over is not an admission of guilt, since you are required to pull to the right and stop when an emergency vehicle (including police) is approaching from behind. They may be attempting to stop someone else ahead of you or in another lane. If it’s you that they’re after, bummer. Some people are recording traffic stops on their phone. This is not against the law, but since they want you hands on the wheel, and most states have hands-free laws regarding cell phones, you may wind up with another ticket that you can’t afford. The police officer may be recording you as well with a body cam, or dash cam. Perhaps investing in a dash cam of your own is a better idea than attempting to record the traffic stop on your phone.

And, it is of utmost importance to be polite. If you extend that simple courtesy, you should get it in return.

If you’re unfortunate and end up getting a ticket, then you can take our defensive driving course if you’re located in Texas, or our traffic school if located in Florida.

Until next week…

Daun Thompson
Writer / Comedienne / Artist

Traffic Stops – Comedy Defensive Driving School

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Distracted Driving

Daun Thompson — Tue, 15 Mar 2016 05:10:20 +0000

Spring has sprung and kids are enjoying their spring break vacation. What better time for a road trip? Spring flowers are in bloom and Texas is famous for their wildflowers. People come from everywhere to see Texas in bloom. So, an abundance of distracted driving will ensue during Spring break. Families will likely be parking on the shoulder of the freeway to take pictures of their children in the Bluebonnets. In fact, I thought it was actually a Texas “law” that you were required to take pictures of your kids in the Bluebonnets on the side of the freeway with semi trucks flying past, scorpions, tarantulas, fire ants, cactus, poison ivy and rattlesnakes! I took a picture of my daughter in the Bluebonnets when she was a baby. But I put her on a blanket. Babies have sensitive skin and rash up easily. I took so many pictures of my baby that she was photo-jaded by the time she was a toddler. She was an October baby, born the month of Halloween. I have a picture of her when she was probably only four days old, where I hollowed out a pumpkin and shoved her in it. Babies have those giant basketball heads and small necks, so they can’t hold their own head up (you just want to tape a popsicle stick to their neck to prop up their head). And I put the top of the pumpkin right on her head, right on her soft spot. You know, when you’re a single parent and you don’t get any sleep because you do all of the feedings and diaper changing by yourself, you do some really stupid things. I learned this, I learned that Child Protective Services (CPS) will babysit. For FREE…for YEARS!
So look out for cars parking and/or slowing down to observe the wildflowers. Slow down, when passing, or, better yet, move over a lane.

Until next week…

Daun Thompson
Writer / Comedienne / Artist

Distracted Drivers – Comedy Defensive Driving

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New Texas Traffic Laws

Daun Thompson — Mon, 09 Sep 2013 19:11:58 +0000

New Texas Traffic Laws

September 1st was a big day for Texas drivers and law enforcement. A few new texas traffic laws went into effect. And, I hate to be a Debby Downer, but, to my chagrin, we still have no hands free state law in Texas. So, another two years of texting, chatting away and swerving into other lanes. When will we evolve?! Thank you Governor Perry!

Over 600 new Texas laws went into effect. Here are a few of those laws pertaining to drivers…

SB510 Requires drivers to move over or slow down (as required depending on the roadway) when approaching a stationary Texas Department of Transportation (TXDOT) vehicle with its lights activated and not separated from the roadway by a traffic-control device. This provision expands the state’s Move Over/Slow Down law, which already requires drivers to yield to tow trucks, police, fire and emergency vehicles. Violators would commit a misdemeanor offense punishable by a fine of up to $200; punishable of $500 if property damage occurs; or a Class B misdemeanor if the violation results in bodily injury.

HB 1174 Amends current statute to increase the minimum fines for the misdemeanor offense of passing a stopped school bus loading or unloading children. The minimum fine increases from $200 to $500, and the maximum fine for such an offense increases from $1,000 to $1,250. The bill also enhances the penalty for a second or subsequent conviction of that offense committed within five years to a misdemeanor punishable by a minimum fine of $1,000 and a maximum fine of $2,000.
They take child safety pretty seriously these days. Kids weren’t as important when I was a kid. Private schools now have seat belts in their buses. Those kids are super important.

SB 181 Allows a motor vehicle operator the option of using a wireless communication device (such as a cell phone) to display motor vehicle financial responsibility (proof of insurance) information as evidence of financial responsibility. The display does not constitute effective consent for a law enforcement officer, or any other person, to access the contents of the wireless communication device except to view the financial responsibility information.
And don’t pull out your phone and start pulling up the insurance until the officer actually comes to your car window and asks you for it…not in an active school zone, anyway…you don’t need that ticket!

HB 3676 New drivers: Texans who get a hardship driver’s license will have to follow the same restrictions as other new drivers: They can’t use a cell phone, drive between midnight and 5 a.m. or transport more than one passenger under 21 who isn’t a relative.
So, you can only kill one friend at a time…not all of them at once.

HB 625 Clarifies that the penalty for operating a vehicle on a public highway without displaying the two license plates assigned to the vehicle is a misdemeanor offense punishable by a fine not to exceed $200.
So, about that new Lamborghini you just bought that has no holes in the front for a license plate to attach to it? Start drilling…

SB 275 Increases the penalty for leaving the scene of a motor vehicle accident resulting in the death of a person and failing to render aid from a third degree felony to a second degree felony. A second degree felony carries a punishment of two to 20 years in prison and an optional fine not to exceed $10,000, whereas a third degree felony carries a penalty of two to 10 years in prison and an optional fine not to exceed $10,000.
In prison, that’s a lot of cigarettes.

Until next week…

Daun T
Writer / Comedienne / Semi Sought-After Artist

New Texas Traffic Laws – Comedy Defensive Driving

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MOVE IT OR LOSE IT

Lisa — Tue, 20 Sep 2011 00:11:04 +0000

You see an emergency vehicle on the side of the road with its lights flashing. Maybe it’s a police officer writing some poor slob a ticket. Or, perhaps it’s an ambulance, a fire truck, a courtesy car or even a tow truck (in some states, the law also includes tow truck operators and highway workers). WHAT SHOULD YOU DO?? You would be amazed at how many people wouldn’t know what to do. In fact, a national poll by Mason Dixon Pollling & Research, sponsored by the National Safety Commission states that 71% of American have not heard of the “Move Over” laws.

Forty three states have passed “Move Over” laws, which require motorists to “Move Over” and change lanes to give safe clearance to law enforcement officers on roadsides. One would think that it would be just plain common sense to move over a lane or at least slow down when approaching a scene. But more than 150 U.S. law enforcement officers have been killed since 1997 after being struck by vehicles along America’s highways, according to the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund. I have met a few ambulance drivers who have recounted stories of co-workers they have lost to a rubber-necker who not only did not move over a lane or slow down, but drove right into the scene of the accident. Killing the E.M.T.’s trying to save someone and the person they were trying to save. It’s likely the rubber-necker was drunk (a drunker-necker). Apparently drunk drivers are attracted to flashing lights. Like blondes are attracted to shiny objects. Diamonds, should anyone ask.

“Move Over America” is the national effort to make drivers aware of the “Move Over” laws, which require motorists to “Move Over” and changes lanes to give safe clearance to law enforcement officers on roadsides. Equally important is the action of creating attention in those states where there is no such law at present. Their website has a U.S. map of move over laws by state. While California and Iowa hit you with a $50 fine, other states dish up more meaty fines. South Dakota serves up a class 2 misdemeanor, Virginia is a class 1 misdemeanor and Arkansas awards you with a $500 fine plus 90 days in jail, 7 days of community service, 90 day license suspension. Michigan, Tennessee and West Virginia are runners-up in their penalties. Generally in most states, the fine is a hefty one because you just put a law enforcement officer, emergency medical tech, fireman, courtesy patrol or tow truck drivers life in danger. Fair enough!

I notice when out there in the road rage mobile (that what I call her…every girl has a pet name for their car…that’s mine), some police officers still write tickets on the drivers side of the car, rather than going around to the passenger side where it would seem much safer. And the shoulder is just wide enough for a car. Not a car and a cop. You ever pull over on the highway to change drivers, get something out of the trunk, or to dump a body?? It feels like those semi trucks are going to suck you right under them. I’ve watched those t.v. shows where they show cops being hit by cars on the freeway or the car hitting the squad car, causing it to careen into the car being pulled over. Yikes! You ever watch that show COPS? I watch it just to see if I have any family members on there. And I usually do. So this is how the Move Over Law works. If you see an emergency vehicle on the side of the road with its lights flashing, you need to move over and put an empty lane between you and them for their safety. Or, if you can’t move over because you’re on a two lane road, or maybe there’s traffic in the next lane and you can’t move over, then you must slow down 20 miles under the posted speed limit. This does not only apply to the highway. If the speed limit is below 25mph, the driver must slow down to 5mph…i.e. school zone)

And if you don’t?? Maybe you think you got away with it because that officer’s standing outside that car writing someone else a ticket. And you think “He’s not going to drop what he’s doing and jump in his car and come after me.” But cops use a buddy system. One officer would make an initial stop — for traffic violations — and then another officer would be close by to nab those who didn’t follow the move-over law. HUGE FINE!

Until next week…look out for others…they may not have 5,141 friends on Facebook, but somebody loves them.

Daun Thompson

(Daun Thompson is a comedienne, writer and artist residing in Dallas, Texas)

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