NORTH CAROLINA AMENDED MOVE OVER LAW will become EFFECTIVE JULY 1, 2006:

Changes to the law are as follows:

 - Increase in fine for violation: From $25 to $250 plus court costs

- Addition of: Tow Truck Drivers and NCDOT IMAP  (aka Public Service Vehicles) will be covered under the amended law in addition to the current coverage of law enforcement and emergency personnel.

 - “Be Prepared to Stop”: The law now states that if you cannot Move Over, you must reduce your speed and BE PREPARED TO STOP.

 - Class 1 Misdemeanor: If failure to move over and/or reduce speed for those covered under the law results in property damage in excess of $500 or personal injury, you will be charged with a misdemeanor.

 - Class I Felony: If failure to move over and/or reduce speed for those covered under the law results in serious personal injury or death, you will be charged with a felony.

Bottom line…please be attentive when you drive…Lives depend on it.
Thank you to Clear Channel of Asheville for helping us educate your listeners!

As you might remember from our last FORS update, we asked everyone to respond to a short survey.  We had a nice representation of feedback from law enforcement to emergency personnel as well as those unaffiliated with any law or emergency service.    I sincerely hope that these answers be kept in mind when making decisions of how your agency/department promotes the Move Over Law.  I will provide to you the questions and a brief summary of responses

1-  Have you noticed a trend in motorists moving over or reducing their speed when approaching your stopped vehicle (on the shoulder or at an accident scene)?
These answers seemed very dependent on the state that the survey responder was from (as in many cases).  The majority seemed to answer “yes” but with definite need of a higher percentage of compliance.

2-  Do you feel that it is mostly motorists, truckers or both that are either complying or not complying to the move over law?
Most of the answers that came from law enforcement was that truckers were the more compliant.  There was a lot of concern from DOT personnel that they rarely have anyone move over for them.

3-  Is there a group that rarely moves over or reduces their speed (ex: out of state motorists)?
A high number of responses listed “out of state” drivers (survey responders were mostly from NC and TN).

4-  Where do you see or hear about the Move Over Law the most?  Amber alert message boards, DOT signage, newspaper reports, etc.
Attention DOT on this one… AMBER ALERT MESSAGE BOARDS!  Next in line was highway signage (DOT and FORS).  Hmmmm.  The media was also included in most of the responses.  Bumper stickers (FORS & NCSHP) as well.

5-  If you could name one area that you feel would reach the most motorists and/or truckers to promote the Move Over Law, where would that be (other than those listed under number 4).
I had a wonderful list of responses to this one that we really need to take a look at:  State Owned Vehicles, School Buses, Welcome Centers, High Schools, Media PSA’s (TV, Radio, Newspaper), More Billboards, Internet Advertising, Including information with Driver’s License Renewal or Vehicle Tax renewal.

6-  If you are a law enforcement officers, fire fighter, medic, tower, etc., how often do you feel as if you are coming within inches of being hit?  Daily, weekly, monthly, etc.?
From EACH AND EVERY law enforcement officer, emergency worker and tow truck driver the answer was the same… “Weekly, if not daily.”  For those of you that are not law enforcement, emergency responders or towers, how would you like to go to work every day knowing that chances are you are inches from being struck by a car or truck?

I do have a few other items to fill you in on.  First, WELCOME ALABAMA!  On July 1, 2006 their Move Over Law will go into effect!  Also, I received word today that Delaware has introduced a Move Over Law as Senate Bill 331.  I will keep you updated as to that progress.

We have more bumper stickers available.  They have been re-designed with more emphasis on the Move Over & Slow Down portion.  I have attached a copy of it for you to view

The final t-shirt design has been submitted and we hope to have them in by the end of June.  I will send out an e-mail as soon as they are available for ordering.

In the next ten days, I will also send out a press conference announcement.  The press conference will focus on the changes to the North Carolina Move Over Law that will go into effect on July 1, 2006.    I will inform you of date, location and time.  We hope to do a joint press conference with the NCSHP.  Please watch for this e-mail

Regarding the FORS website.  Please accept my sincere apologies for the lack of progress.  I am discussions with some organizations that are going to try and assist us.  As soon as we are in a position of making website improvements and changes, I will send out an e-mail to that regard for those who may need a link added or changed.  Thanks for your patience.

EVENT ANNOUNCEMENTS:
Trooper AG Cogdill Annual Golf Tournament will be held at the Lake Junaluska Country Club near Waynesville, NC on August 12th at 12:30.  If you wish to participate, please contact Stan Cogdill at 828-452-5309.

Calvin E. Taylor Annual Toy Ride will be held on September 9, 2006.  Go to http://www.calvinetaylortoyride.com/ for more details and to view their beautiful website.

Thank you to the Cherokee Indian Police Department.  They ordered 500 FORS bumper stickers to display on their vehicles and to share with their community!!

Thanks to everyone for your continuous support of our efforts.