CONCORD, NH - The New Hampshire State Police took to Facebook yesterday to remind New Hampshire residents that the state has "move over" legislation in place so that officials don't get hit while at emergency stops on the highways.
According to the video, at before 10 a.m. on Thursday, April 21st, Trooper Michael Catalfamo of NHSP Troop D conducted a roadside investigation on I-89 and a consent search of a vehicle. Upon completing the traffic stop, Catalfamo attempted to return to his cruiser. At that time, a coach bus failed to move over or slow down when approaching Catalfamo.
The weather at the time of this incident was clear, traffic conditions were light and this section of roadway was straight, according to the post. The three cruisers on the stop had emergency lights activated and would have been visible for more than a mile. The bus came within inches the trooper, as shown in video provided by the Grantham Police Dept.
The operator of the bus was issued a citation for failure to obey.
The NHSP request that motorists obey the state's Move Over and Slow Down.
IT'S THE LAW
NH RSA 265:37-a. Motorist Duties When Approaching Highway Emergencies (Move Over Law). I. When in or approaching an incident involving a fire, collision, disaster, or other emergency resulting in partial or complete blockage of a highway, or a location where a police officer has made a traffic stop, every driver other than the driver of an emergency response vehicle, shall:
(a) Maintain a reduced speed.
(b) Obey the directions of any authorized person directing traffic and of all applicable emergency signals and traffic control devices.
(c) Vacate as soon as possible any lane wholly or partially blocked.
(d) Give a wide berth, without endangering oncoming traffic, to public safety personnel, any persons in the roadway, and stationary vehicles displaying blue, red, or amber emergency or warning lights.
