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Have you guys been hearing about that new law that forces drivers to move over a lane when a policeman has pulled someone over? I heard last night that it's a misdemeanor, and can be fined up to $4000 and a possible 90-day jail term! I wanted to get everyone's opinion about this. Do you really feel this law will make it safer for policemen on the sides of the road? I'm not so sure it will. In fact, with roads as crowded as they are (particularly during rush hour), I feel this will provide even more of a hazard for policeman. I can't even imagine the accidents that would occur if everyone on the highway tried to swerve over a lane to avoid getting a ticket. This morning I saw a cop that had pulled someone over on Southfield. No one (except me, of course ) even attempted to get over, and one person even changed into that lane! When the guy got out of his car and saw this he just shook his head and grinned. I really want to see a safer environment for policemen, I'm just not sure this is the way to go about doing it. So what do you guys think?

I don`t know. Both of my g/f parents are cops. Dearborn and Detroit. It all depends on the person getting pulled over. A rule of thumb I always went by was when I got pulled over, I would pull into a parking lot of side street away from the traffic, thus giving a some respect for the cop. Maybe I am wrong but that is what I would do.

I completely agree. I think that if they're going to make a law to protect policemen from getting hurt they should make it a rule to get off the highway when they pull someone over. Sure it would take a while for this to become the first reaction for someone to do when pulled over, but it seems to be the only way to eliminate the problem. Unless they substantially widen the roads, and judging by the condition of the roads here in SE Michigan, that ain't happening anytime soon...

the sad thing is, they had to make a law like this, people are so stupid.
I always get as far away as possible from anyone parked on the side.
C'mon, this is common sense!

I think a law is unnecessary. Whenever I pass a vehicle on the side of the road with a person (cop or just broken down), I pull over if I can do so safely. When I've been stopped or had to stop on my own, I pull as far off the road as possible and appreceate when other drivers move over for me.

But, it is not always possible to move over safely, such as rush hour usually. So, I'd rather not create more traffic delays similar to lane merging for cunstruction, just so a cop has an extra 10 feet of room. Why don't lawmakers just fine the people pulled over for not pulling over far enough? Easy to do because cop already is on scene.

Yup, they've got it posted all over the freeways on those electronic signs...

My brother is an officer, and I don't mind seeing this become a law, anything to protect the police a little more is fine with me.. and I always moved over anyways, it is sad that they do have to make a law to move over, because people are to dense to figure this out for themselves.. they gotta do what they gotta do..

What if it's a two lane road with no shoulder?

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AirKnight (Dominic Ho)
Buffalo, NY

AIM: AirKnight on MTB

My BEAST

Head into the oncoming traffic I guess

[This message has been edited by ND SVT (edited March 23, 2001).]

Just like Brian said...they've got it posted on the freeways. I caught a glimpse of the message when I was on 696 last night cruising home in the "triple digit zone" of my speedo.