Should RV's move over for stopped vehicles on Interstate?

[GNICK]

We just returned from our first outing this year and noted that big rig truckers almost without exception will move to the left lane when passing a stopped vehicle. Is that done to reduce buffeting or just to give an extra margin of safety for anyone who may exit the driver's side?

I tried to do it when traffic allowed, but since I was only driving 65 mph, I always felt bad for moving over in front of faster cars -- especially in a 75 mph zone where everyone is going 80.

[winniman]

Most places it is the law to move over for stranded and emergency vehicles. If you cant move over, you are required to slow right down. At the very least it is courteous. If you ever had to change a tire with morons flying by at 65 mph, you would really like a little space. Many police officers have died due to people not slowing or moving over. If it is not law in your area, it should be. Cheers

[Hooligan]

Florida law requires you to move over for Law enforcement, 1st responders, and utility vehicles. I move over for other stopped vehicles when safe to do so.
Often if you move over early enough it gives them room to get back on the highway.

[wildtoad]

Originally Posted by winniman

Most places it is the law to move over for stranded and emergency vehicles. If you cant move over, you are required to slow right down. At the very least it is courteous. If you ever had to change a tire with morons flying by at 65 mph, you would really like a little space. Many police officers have died due to people not slowing or moving over. If it is not law in your area, it should be. Cheers

This....

[MisterT]

laws require you to move over, if possible and can so safely, for EMERGENCY vehicles, not necessary just ANY vehicle, though it's certainly common sense to minimize buffering and add to the safety, if possible.

several times this week we've seen these happening, one law enforcement vehicle and one 'emergency' tow vehicle, and also several cars or vehicles just pulled over... and that goes for EITHER side of the interstate, believe it or not. We change lanes, if possible and safety allows, but it's not always the case, especially if you already have a semi or vehicle passing you.

It's always easy when you see this from 1/2 mile away, but not so much when it's suddenly upon you on a curve or a over a hill.

[bruceisla]

Originally Posted by wildtoad

This....

Here's the Florida Law (note the key statement "when you can safely do so"):

Florida law requires you to Move Over a lane — when you can safely do so — for stopped law enforcement, emergency, sanitation, utility service vehicles and tow trucks or wreckers.

• If you can’t move over — or when on a two-lane road — slow to a speed that is 20 mph less than the posted speed limit.
• Slow down to 5 mph when the posted speed limit is 20 mph or less.

[reubenray]

I do whenever I can. Sometimes the cars won't let me.

[RVPioneer]

In California the law requires drivers to move over one lane for stopped emergency or maintenance vehicles or slow to 20 mph below the posted speed limit. The wording is somewhat grammatically challenged in that it probably implies that one should comply for all stopped, emergency or maintenance vehicles. Without the comma after "stopped", a literal interpretation would exclude a stopped vehicle that is not an emergency or maintenance vehicle. Best to comply in all cases.

There have been reports of traps being set up in some states to assist with revenue generation. The truckers know the law and don't want to be pulled over or ticketed. This is why they boldly move over when a vehicle is on the shoulder. I do the same, which often leads to an impatient driver blowing by in the right lane at 90. This is accompanied by a healthy dose of air horn in an effort to alert the driver to their foolish behavior.

[Waiter21]

I move over if able.. You never know who's going to walk out from behind the car into the lane..

[F4Gary]

Originally Posted by winniman

Most places it is the law to move over for stranded and emergency vehicles. If you cant move over, you are required to slow right down. At the very least it is courteous. If you ever had to change a tire with morons flying by at 65 mph, you would really like a little space. Many police officers have died due to people not slowing or moving over. If it is not law in your area, it should be. Cheers

Morons?

[Scottybdivin]

The best one is when you move over for a merging vehicle or truck, and they proceed to match your speed, leaving you hanging in the left lane, with a line of traffic behind you. Inevitably if you slow down to move back over, someone will attempt to pass you on the right.

[Daveinet]

Originally Posted by Waiter21

I move over if able.. You never know who's going to walk out from behind the car into the lane..

Some complete idiot who wants to commit suicide. Years ago, you never heard of officers or people along the roadside getting hit. Does anyone know why that has changed?

[staggerlee]

Originally Posted by GNICK

We just returned from our first outing this year and noted that big rig truckers almost without exception will move to the left lane when passing a stopped vehicle. Is that done to reduce buffeting or just to give an extra margin of safety for anyone who may exit the driver's side?

I tried to do it when traffic allowed, but since I was only driving 65 mph, I always felt bad for moving over in front of faster cars -- especially in a 75 mph zone where everyone is going 80.

Its a new law in this state, that's probably why truckers do it. Some states do not require it. If you can't change lanes, you are supposed to slow down a lot. To many troopers, and people changing tires getting hit.

[staggerlee]

Originally Posted by Scottybdivin

The best one is when you move over for a merging vehicle or truck, and they proceed to match your speed, leaving you hanging in the left lane, with a line of traffic behind you. Inevitably if you slow down to move back over, someone will attempt to pass you on the right.

The on ramp has a wide white line getting onto the freeway. If the merging car/truck reaches that line, and you are on the freeway, you must slowdown and let them merge, in some states. Wish it was like that in all states.