Yesterday morning I was leaving Briarcliffe RV Park in North Myrtle Beach. After pulling out of my site I pulled over on one of the main roads at the back of the park to hook up my toad. After hooking up, a motor home pulled up behind me and there wasn't quite enough room for him to get by, so I started walking to him to see if he could wait a couple of minutes for me to finish or if he wanted to me to help him squeeze by, by going up on the grass a little bit. He didn't wait for me and started to pass me by going up on the grass. I waved OK to him and backed against the driver's side of my toad. He didn't pull far enough up on the grass and instead of taking it slow he SPED up as he passed me. The rear of his motor home scraped against the bicycle tires on the back of my toad. He came within 5 inches of hitting me. I truly thought his rear end was going to take me out. My life whole flashed before me, except major parts of the 60s and 70s we're missing. Another camper came running over because he thought I had been hit.
This afternoon.
I will start this off by admitting I was unaware of this Florida law. I know not an excuse. As I was driving south on I-75 I saw two police cars on the shoulder. Look like they we're ticketing somebody. I put my directional on to move left, but traffic wasn't letting me in, so I moved as far from the police as possible when I went by the police vehicles. Shortly after that one of the police vehicles pulled me over for not moving to the next lane or slowing down. He was not open to discussion and just wanted my documents and came back and gave me a ticket. Maybe it was a trap because he got to me pretty quick. I guess he didn't see my directional showing I wanted to move over or he didn't have a radar gun to check my speed, because when driving my motor home I rarely go over 60 and the speed limit on I-75 is 70 mph. When I saw them I hit the brake to remove cruise control and slowed down even more and couldn't have been going faster than 50 or 55. I always try to move left when I see someone on the shoulder just for safety reasons. I know I wasn't going more than 60 before I slowed down because I also have an engine governor which won't allow me to go over 60......and she sits right beside me!
SnowGypsy said
05:32 PM Sep 27, 2014
Can't blame you for ranting, what a couple of days. I hope you have seen the worst of it and have smooth RVing ahead.
kb0zke said
05:33 PM Sep 27, 2014
I'm glad I'm not the only one that drives 60, even on the Interstate. Missouri has a similar law, but it says that you must move over IF it is possible. If not, slowing down is fine. I doubt that a Missouri officer would have come after you.
LibertyLinda said
06:01 PM Sep 27, 2014
"My life whole flashed before me, except major parts of the 60s and 70s we're missing." -- LOL!
NY state just started that law where you have to pull over to the left with police or emergency vehicles on the shoulder. I think most people do that without a law. But, I also have seen that law almost cause a few accidents too! I think it was harsh implementation by that officer - but then again, how else will the state get more money.
I hope you have better days ahead - starting your life over again and all...
el Rojo and Pam said
06:10 PM Sep 27, 2014
Hey Gene, I only drive 60 when I'm in hurry. Seems 55 is fast enough these days. Guess I joined the old fart club. Sorry that the ole boy came so close in the RV park and after I calmed down a bit I would try to sell myself on "he must have been going to the hospital". He probably wasn't but it helps me relax just the same.
Red.
Dog Folks said
06:25 PM Sep 27, 2014
"On a two-lane roadway, you are required to slow to a speed that is 20 miles per hour less than the posted speed limit.
If the speed limit is 20 miles per hour or less, you must slow down to five miles per hour.
If you are driving on an interstate or roadway with multiple lanes of travel in the same direction, and you approach an emergency or law enforcement vehicle parked along the roadway, you must vacate the lane closest to that vehicle as soon as it is safe to do so. If you are not able to safely move over, you must slow down to a speed of 20 MPH below the posted speed limit unless directed otherwise by a law enforcement officer.
Violating the move over law puts both yourself and a public safety professional at risk.
Violating the move over law can result in a fine and points on your license.
Effective July 1, 2014, the law was changed to include sanitation vehicles and utility service vehicles." Florida DHSMV
If the speed limit was 70 you have to slow down to no MORE than 50. How was the ticket written?
PIEERE said
06:37 PM Sep 27, 2014
Some just have to be in a big hurry to get there!!! They may even get a quicker trip to the crypt if they aren't careful. I might give an excuse if they are trying to outrun a fire or bad storm coming their way. That is just outright inconsiderate and rude behavior and so much of it goes on now since "discipline got thrown out with the bath water."
Seem like LEOs' are more aggressive to write tickets now as the funding of the 'coffers' are drying up. Wow! What would have been the explanation to the officer if you had ran a half dozen autos off the road and people were maimed or killed (God Forbid). "But officer I was just following Florida law!!" I would not want to have to explain that to the Judge!
TheNewhalls said
06:38 AM Sep 28, 2014
Thanks everyone.
Red, I do the same thing always think maybe there is an emergency they have to get to. When stopped in traffic and cars are going down the shoulder I see other drivers pull half way into the shoulder to block them. I don't do that. I know most are trying to beat the traffic, but I think there might be somebody with an actual emergency they need to get to.
Dog Folks, he didn't cite any speed just the statute. I might go to court, I don't think he knew what my exact speed was and actually neither do I. But I know there is a good possibility it could have been 50 mph. Maybe the judge drives an RV with an engine governor.
Camper Chronicles said
06:49 AM Sep 28, 2014
Yikes Gene...getting hit by a vehicle on the side of the road is no joke...happens more often than you would think. That being said I wish I would have known you in the 60's and 70's ::wink...sounds like you were a fun guy!!
The police thing..well that just stinks. I don't know how many times I have been unable to get over and I agree sounds like a speed trap to me.
WestWardHo said
09:43 AM Sep 28, 2014
Of course your subject line made me read this thread! 😄 So sorry about that IDIOT in the motorhome but glad you were not hurt. I/we always try to change lanes or slow down if we can't for anyone pulled over to the side but we had no idea of the law that one must slow to 20 mph under the posted limit. The fact that you had slowed some and had your indicator on would be worth going to court I think.
Again, I'm glad you were not hurt.
Sherry
Dog Folks said
06:03 PM Sep 28, 2014
TheNewhalls wrote:
Thanks everyone.
Dog Folks, he didn't cite any speed just the statute. I might go to court, I don't think he knew what my exact speed was and actually neither do I. But I know there is a good possibility it could have been 50 mph. Maybe the judge drives an RV with an engine governor.
If he can't prove your speed, IMHO, he has not established a violation. Perhaps he is counting on you to quietly pay the fine and NOT go to court.
By the way, the "move or or slow down law" is not unique to Florida.
It is in effect in 49 states. 71 % of the motoring public do not know about it, so you are not alone.
Source: http://www.moveoveramerica.com/
As a former first responder, I ask, if you see flashing lights of any kind, Please slow down, or move over. I can't tell you the number of close calls I have had. I absolutely hated to work on the roadside because of inattentive drivers.
BiggarView said
06:15 PM Sep 28, 2014
Tricky decision to fight a traffic ticket. You may well have been in the right, but how convenient is the court location or the timing of the date? Might be better to just eat it and be on your way. Some states allow you to take an online traffic safety course to avoid the ticket appearing on your "record". It'll still cost you money to take the course but it won't hit your insurance as a conviction, with the attendant rise in premiums. Food for thought...
Brian
TheNewhalls said
06:14 AM Oct 1, 2014
LibertyLinda wrote:
"My life whole flashed before me, except major parts of the 60s and 70s we're missing." -- LOL!
Lee and Trace wrote:
Yikes Gene...getting hit by a vehicle on the side of the road is no joke...happens more often than you would think. That being said I wish I would have known you in the 60's and 70's ::wink...sounds like you were a fun guy!!
I didn't know her back then, but I think Eileen remembers less than I do! --LOL! Makes for interesting conversations-Like "When did you graduate from college? College? I went to college!"
kb0zke said
02:19 PM Oct 1, 2014
A couple of thoughts on the move-over part of this thread.
First of all, I did a bit of research and all 50 states now have some form of this law, so I think it is safe for everyone to assume that you must move over (if possible) OR slow down.
Quite a few years ago there was very heavy fog on I-70 near Emma, MO. There was an accident on the east-bound side, which brought quite a few emergency vehicles with lots of flashing lights to the scene. One person was in such a hurry that she didn't see any of those lights, nor was she slowing down much. She hit one of the volunteer firemen at the scene, killing him. That brought more emergency vehicles with even more flashing lights. It also shut down that side of the Interstate for a few hours.
That accident happened nearly 30 years ago, but the people in the Concordia and Emma area still remember it. The family of the dead man still misses their husband/father/brother/son/cousin very much.
NurseJudy said
10:28 AM Oct 9, 2014
As a retired police officer of 25 years my DH was hit from behind while stopped at a traffic accident with his overhead lights on by an inattentive driver. Fortunately his injuries were not severe, but they could have been. Many police officers and other first responders are injured and/or killed by inattentive drivers every year. These laws are in effect to protect them, please make every effort to do this! As you noted in the first part of your post, it was pretty scary to have that MH pass by you so closely, even at a slow speed. Imagine what it is like for those first responders out there in highway traffic, just trying to do their job, not knowing where the next "giant moving object" might be coming from. Insofar as your traffic ticket, unless you can prove you slowed to 50 mph and/or you moved over, it would likely be your word against the officers, most judges will side for the officer. You could just pay the fine, or if you fight the ticket and lose, you would also be responsible for the associated court costs as well as the fine.
Yesterday morning I was leaving Briarcliffe RV Park in North Myrtle Beach. After pulling out of my site I pulled over on one of the main roads at the back of the park to hook up my toad. After hooking up, a motor home pulled up behind me and there wasn't quite enough room for him to get by, so I started walking to him to see if he could wait a couple of minutes for me to finish or if he wanted to me to help him squeeze by, by going up on the grass a little bit. He didn't wait for me and started to pass me by going up on the grass. I waved OK to him and backed against the driver's side of my toad. He didn't pull far enough up on the grass and instead of taking it slow he SPED up as he passed me. The rear of his motor home scraped against the bicycle tires on the back of my toad. He came within 5 inches of hitting me. I truly thought his rear end was going to take me out. My life whole flashed before me, except major parts of the 60s and 70s we're missing. Another camper came running over because he thought I had been hit.
This afternoon.
I will start this off by admitting I was unaware of this Florida law. I know not an excuse. As I was driving south on I-75 I saw two police cars on the shoulder. Look like they we're ticketing somebody. I put my directional on to move left, but traffic wasn't letting me in, so I moved as far from the police as possible when I went by the police vehicles. Shortly after that one of the police vehicles pulled me over for not moving to the next lane or slowing down. He was not open to discussion and just wanted my documents and came back and gave me a ticket. Maybe it was a trap because he got to me pretty quick. I guess he didn't see my directional showing I wanted to move over or he didn't have a radar gun to check my speed, because when driving my motor home I rarely go over 60 and the speed limit on I-75 is 70 mph. When I saw them I hit the brake to remove cruise control and slowed down even more and couldn't have been going faster than 50 or 55. I always try to move left when I see someone on the shoulder just for safety reasons. I know I wasn't going more than 60 before I slowed down because I also have an engine governor which won't allow me to go over 60......and she sits right beside me!
NY state just started that law where you have to pull over to the left with police or emergency vehicles on the shoulder. I think most people do that without a law. But, I also have seen that law almost cause a few accidents too! I think it was harsh implementation by that officer - but then again, how else will the state get more money.
I hope you have better days ahead - starting your life over again and all...
Red.
"On a two-lane roadway, you are required to slow to a speed that is 20 miles per hour less than the posted speed limit.
If the speed limit is 20 miles per hour or less, you must slow down to five miles per hour.
If you are driving on an interstate or roadway with multiple lanes of travel in the same direction, and you approach an emergency or law enforcement vehicle parked along the roadway, you must vacate the lane closest to that vehicle as soon as it is safe to do so. If you are not able to safely move over, you must slow down to a speed of 20 MPH below the posted speed limit unless directed otherwise by a law enforcement officer.
Violating the move over law puts both yourself and a public safety professional at risk.
Violating the move over law can result in a fine and points on your license.
Effective July 1, 2014, the law was changed to include sanitation vehicles and utility service vehicles." Florida DHSMV
If the speed limit was 70 you have to slow down to no MORE than 50. How was the ticket written?
Seem like LEOs' are more aggressive to write tickets now as the funding of the 'coffers' are drying up. Wow! What would have been the explanation to the officer if you had ran a half dozen autos off the road and people were maimed or killed (God Forbid). "But officer I was just following Florida law!!" I would not want to have to explain that to the Judge!
Thanks everyone.
Red, I do the same thing always think maybe there is an emergency they have to get to. When stopped in traffic and cars are going down the shoulder I see other drivers pull half way into the shoulder to block them. I don't do that. I know most are trying to beat the traffic, but I think there might be somebody with an actual emergency they need to get to.
Dog Folks, he didn't cite any speed just the statute. I might go to court, I don't think he knew what my exact speed was and actually neither do I. But I know there is a good possibility it could have been 50 mph. Maybe the judge drives an RV with an engine governor.
The police thing..well that just stinks. I don't know how many times I have been unable to get over and I agree sounds like a speed trap to me.
Again, I'm glad you were not hurt.
Sherry
If he can't prove your speed, IMHO, he has not established a violation. Perhaps he is counting on you to quietly pay the fine and NOT go to court.
By the way, the "move or or slow down law" is not unique to Florida.
It is in effect in 49 states. 71 % of the motoring public do not know about it, so you are not alone.
Source: http://www.moveoveramerica.com/
As a former first responder, I ask, if you see flashing lights of any kind, Please slow down, or move over. I can't tell you the number of close calls I have had. I absolutely hated to work on the roadside because of inattentive drivers.
Tricky decision to fight a traffic ticket. You may well have been in the right, but how convenient is the court location or the timing of the date? Might be better to just eat it and be on your way. Some states allow you to take an online traffic safety course to avoid the ticket appearing on your "record". It'll still cost you money to take the course but it won't hit your insurance as a conviction, with the attendant rise in premiums. Food for thought...
Brian
First of all, I did a bit of research and all 50 states now have some form of this law, so I think it is safe for everyone to assume that you must move over (if possible) OR slow down.
Quite a few years ago there was very heavy fog on I-70 near Emma, MO. There was an accident on the east-bound side, which brought quite a few emergency vehicles with lots of flashing lights to the scene. One person was in such a hurry that she didn't see any of those lights, nor was she slowing down much. She hit one of the volunteer firemen at the scene, killing him. That brought more emergency vehicles with even more flashing lights. It also shut down that side of the Interstate for a few hours.
That accident happened nearly 30 years ago, but the people in the Concordia and Emma area still remember it. The family of the dead man still misses their husband/father/brother/son/cousin very much.
Hope your luck gets better.