Washington State-- The Washington State Patrol and Grant County Fire District 13 want the motoring public to know about a change in the law which now defines the area around emergency or assistance vehicles as an "Emergency Zone".  The change in the "Move Over" law will take effect January 1, 2011 and is aimed at saving lives.  The existing law requires the motoring public to safely move over to an adjacent lane when approaching a stationary emergency vehicle.  The new law now makes traffic fines double for motorists who do not slow down in the Emergency Zone. 

In the last few years the Washington State Patrol has had nearly 80 patrol vehicles struck by motorists while stationary.  This is a consistent threat to public safety workers but can be avoided when citizens slow down and move over.  Under the old law a driver would be ticketed $124 for not complying.  The new law starts fines at $248 in speed limit zones over 40 miles per hour.  There is no change to the law concerning pulling to the right and stopping for emergency vehicles which are utilizing an audible siren and emergency warning lights ($1,062 fine). Check out the comparison chart to help you compare the old law to the new one. Comparison Chart