November 16, 2009

Quick Clearing of Highway Incidents

The focus for this month’s traffic reminder is the quick clearing of highway incidents.

If you, as a motorist, become involved in a motor vehicle collision, you should make every attempt to move your vehicle from the travel portion of the roadway.  It is much safer to check for damage on the side of the roadway than to stand out in the roadway.  If your car is drivable and you are not injured, please pull off to the side and speak to the involved parties. 

If you can’t move to the side, please put your emergency hazard flashers on to warn other vehicles. 

These rules apply on all roadways.  Many times secondary accidents occur because a road becomes blocked.

265:37-b Avoidance of Lane Blockage.
I. No person shall stop or park a vehicle in such manner as to impede or render dangerous the use of the roadway by others except to avoid a collision, at the direction of an authorized official, or in the event of a mechanical breakdown.
II. In the event of a mechanical breakdown, the hazard flashers of such vehicle shall be activated if so equipped and in working order.
III. If a vehicle stopped in the roadway is movable and its driver is capable of moving it, the driver shall immediately move the vehicle to the shoulder or to another safe area off of the traveled portion of the roadway.
IV. A law enforcement officer or the incident commander at an incident involving a fire, collision, or other emergency may order the removal of a vehicle that is impeding emergency operations or impeding expedited restoration of traffic flow at the owner's expense.