New state law requires vehicles to move over

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BY CHUCK VANDENBERG

PCC EDITOR

LEE COUNTY - A new state law that went into effect on Sunday, now makes it a moving violation if motorists don't move over for any vehicle on the side of the road with flashing lights.

Iowa put a Move Over law on the books in 2002 requiring motorists to move over for any emergency vehicle on the roadway. The new law expands that requirement to all stationary vehicles with flashing lights, including construction workers and disabled motorists. Drivers should move over if it’s safe or should reduce their speed under the speed limit and be prepared to stop.

The new regulations would require motorists to react to disabled private vehicles with flashers on, as well as utility and maintenance vehicles including tow trucks.

Lee County Sheriff Stacy Weber said the deputies have already been warning motorists that the new expanded law was coming and now motorists could be facing a $195 fine including court costs and fees if cited for not giving space to any vehicle on the side of the road.

"This is just back to being courteous. In fact, I've heard some retired folks that taught driver's ed. They used to teach this years ago just as common ettiquette and they just stopped doing it."

"It's just really a matter of safety, courtesy, and common sense," Weber said. "We'd hope that if you can't stop and help that maybe you'd stay behind a ways with your flashers on until law enforcement can get there with arrow sticks or to help change a tire or whatever."

Weber said the biggest benefit will come to tow truck drivers.

"Sometimes those folks are laying on the ground under cars hooking up chains. With all the distracted driving that's going on out there, they're putting their lives on the line."

He said motorists should always be focused on driving safely and when an emergency situation or disabled vehicle is observed, motorists should signal their intent to move over and, when safe, move over to give room. If a move can't be made to allow room, motorists should slow down and be prepared to stop if necessary.

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