At the time of North Carolina State Trooper Calvin Taylor’s death in October of 2001, only 5 states had any form of a Move Over Law on the books. North Carolina’s law was passed only two days prior to his death and would not go into effect until months later. Since that time, thirty-seven more states have added a Move Over Law and several more states currently have the law in committee for possible passage. Although we commend our nation’s governments for realizing the dangers on our roadsides and in turn passing such a law, it is simply not enough. We cannot simply pass a law and then not do anything about it. We must educate.

Several states, including Florida, North Carolina, Missouri and Ohio have done a tremendous job publicizing their law. Effective July 1, 2006, North Carolina’s was amended to include stiffer penalties (citation increase from $25 to $250 as well as felony charge for serious injury or death caused by failure to Move Over), and has added tow truck operators  (aka public service vehicles) as well. Click here to view.

In January of 2004, Families For Roadside Safety­, Inc. began Project Move Over in North Carolina in an effort to educate motorists about the Move Over Law. The average motorist simply does not realize the dangers that exist for law enforcement and emergency personnel as well as towing and recovery operators. Each and every day thousands of these brave men and women “feel the breeze” as they perform their job duties. For some, the breeze is followed by serious injury or even death. In the United States, being struck by a vehicle is the THIRD leading cause of death for law enforcement officers. In Haywood County, North Carolina statistics are not necessary. In less than two years, two state troopers, both born and raised in Haywood County, were killed while conducting traffic stops. Two is all the statistics that are needed in this rural community. In Haywood County, North Carolina motorists MOVE OVER AND REDUCE their speed, not because it is the law, but because they know first-hand the dangers if they do not.

Today, our efforts are being felt across the nation.  We are beginning to focus efforts in Wisconsin and South Carolina.  These efforts are called MoveOverWI and MoveOverSC.  If you are interested in heading efforts in your state, please go to our Contact Page.

FORS’ primary focus is to raise awareness and educate motorists. We want it to be as second-nature as putting a seatbelt on has become. Haywood County, our pilot county, was home to our first two billboards.

In addition, we have t-shirts and bumper stickers available for purchase in order to help educate our communities. Please contact Families For Roadside Safety, Inc. to learn how to assist us in our efforts.  Please tell your family and friends to MOVE OVER AND SLOW DOWN for stopped emergency vehicles and public service vehicles. It just may save a life….even your own.

Please contact us on how to promote these efforts in your school, work or organization.  A public information session could possibly be arranged as well.  For more information please visit our Contact Us page.

To assist FORS, Inc. with funding of  materials to help educate motorists about the Move Over Law, please click on Donation Information.   Thank you in advance for your assistance.