September 29, 2007

Avoidance of Lane Blockage

CHAPTER 265, RULES OF THE ROAD, Pedestrians' Rights and Duties, Section 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.

• If you unable to completely make it through an intersection and block the other lane of traffic, you are committing a violation under Part I. When at an intersection controlled by a traffic light, do not enter the intersection unless you can make it so your vehicle is completely clear of the intersection. It does not matter if the light is green when you enter the intersection; if you get caught in between and block the other lane when the light changes, you are committing the violation.
  
• Part III is a change in an old way of thinking. If you are involved in a motor vehicle accident and you are able to move your vehicle out of traffic you must do so. This does not apply if you are injured or the vehicle becomes disabled. You should move to the breakdown lane, first side street or parking lot, so that other traffic may continue to flow. A major concern for emergency personnel is a secondary collision. These collisions occur when lanes become blocked and traffic backs-up.