AN ACT TO INCREASE THE PENALTIES FOR VIOLATION OF THE MOVE OVER LAW AND TO LIMIT THE USE OF FLASHING AMBER LIGHTS. SL 2019-157. Enacted July 22, 2019. Effective December 1, 2019.
Bill Summaries: S 29 MOVE OVER LAW/INCREASE PENALTIES/AMBER LIGHTS. (NEW)
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Bill S 29 (2019-2020)Summary date: Jul 22 2019 - View Summary
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Bill S 29 (2019-2020)Summary date: Jun 26 2019 - View Summary
House committee substitute to the 2nd edition makes the following changes.
Eliminates the proposed changes to GS 20-157(f), which made it a Class 3 misdemeanor for a driver to fail to, as appropriate, either move the vehicle into a lane that is not the lane nearest a parked or standing authorized emergency vehicle or public service vehicle or slow the vehicle and drive at a reduced speed and be prepared to stop until completely past the authorized emergency vehicle or public service vehicle when the emergency or public service vehicle is parked or standing within 12 feet of the road and is giving a warning by appropriate light; returns these violations to infractions punishable by a $250 fine.
Amends GS 20-130.2 to make it unlawful for any vehicle to operate a flashing or strobing amber light while in motion on a street or highway. Sets forth six exceptions, including law enforcement vehicles, emergency response vehicles, vehicles carrying oversize loads, and slow moving vehicles, as specified.
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Bill S 29 (2019-2020)Summary date: Feb 19 2019 - View Summary
Senate committee substitute to the 1st edition makes the following changes.
Amends GS 20-157(f) to make it a Class 3 misdemeanor (was, Class 2 misdemeanor in the 1st edition) for a driver to fail to, as appropriate, either move the vehicle into a lane that is not the lane nearest a parked or standing authorized emergency vehicle or public service vehicle or slow the vehicle and drive at a reduced speed and be prepared to stop until completely past the authorized emergency vehicle or public service vehicle when the emergency or public service vehicle is parked or standing within 12 feet of the road and is giving a warning by appropriate light. No longer increases the penalty for violations when the person causes damage to property in the immediate area of the emergency or public service vehicle that is in excess of $500 or causes injury to an emergency response person.
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Bill S 29 (2019-2020)Summary date: Feb 6 2019 - View Summary
Titles the act the "Officer Jason Quick Act."
Amends GS 20-157, which contains penalties for failing to move over upon approach of law enforcement, fire department, or rescue squad vehicles or ambulances; driving over a fire hose or blocking fire-fighting equipment; and parking near a law enforcement, fire department, or rescue squad vehicle or ambulance as follows. Makes it a Class 2 misdemeanor for a driver to fail to, as appropriate, either move the vehicle into a lane that is not the lane nearest a parked or standing authorized emergency vehicle or public service vehicle or slow the vehicle and drive at a reduced speed and be prepared to stop until completely past the authorized emergency vehicle or public service vehicle when the emergency or public service vehicle is parked or standing within 12 feet of the road and is giving a warning by appropriate light. Such violations are currently an infraction, punishable by a fine of up to $250, with enhanced penalties when the violation causes property damage or injury to an emergency response person, and when the person causes serious injury or death to an emergency response person. Makes conforming changes.
Further amends the statute to make a violation of the statute a Class I felony (was, a Class 1 misdemeanor) when the person causes damage to property in the immediate area of the emergency or public service vehicle that is in excess of $500 or causes injury to an emergency response person. Makes a violation of the statute a Class F felony (was, a Class I felony) when the person causes serious injury or death to an emergency response person in the immediate area of the authorized emergency or public service vehicle.
Effective December 1, 2019, and applies to offenses committed on or after that date.