On November 14, 2017, the Washington County Sheriff’s Office conducted a Move Over Operation on I-81. During a 4 hour time frame 13 citations were issued for “move over” violations, 9 Commercial Vehicle Inspections were conducted and 6 Warnings were issued.

The new law,which went into effect on October 1, requires drivers approaching from the rear of an emergency vehicle,with its emergency lights activated,to make a lane change into an available lane not immediately adjacent to the emergency vehicle. If a lane is not available the vehicle is required to slow down considerably.

The goal of the law is to increase safety first responders working on Maryland roadsides.