New traffic law applies to Keesler Published Aug. 6, 2007 By 2nd Lt. Nick Plante 81st Training Wing Public Affairs KEESLER AIR FORCE BASE, Miss. -- A new Mississippi traffic law applies to Keesler personnel and helps keep them safe. "Move Over" went into effect July 1. The law states, "Upon approaching an authorized emergency vehicle, recovery vehicle or highway maintenance vehicle that is both stationary and using flashing lights, the person driving the approaching vehicle, proceeding with due caution, shall yield the right-of-way by making a lane change into a lane not adjacent to that of the authorized emergency vehicle." The law defines highway maintenance vehicle as any vehicle used for maintenance of highways and roadways in Mississippi owned and operated by the Mississippi Department of Transportation, a county, municipality or other political subdivision, or owned or operated by a contractor under contract with those government entities. A recovery vehicle refers to a vehicle used for towing a disabled vehicle or combination of vehicles. According to a news release on Mississippi Link.net, motorists should yield the right-of-way and immediately drive to a position parallel to, and as close as possible to the right-hand edge or curb of the roadway. If traffic is too congested to move over safely, motorists are required to slow down and proceed with caution. The release goes on to say, "The 'Move Over' law was designed to protect law enforcement and other emergency workers on state highways. With a rising number of deaths and injuries to police, emergency technicians, department of transportation workers and other emergency personnel around the nation, it is imperative that this law be put into effect in every state in order to save lives. "A violation of this section shall be a misdemeanor punishable by a fine not to exceed $250; provided that, should there be property damage to the emergency vehicle or bodily harm to the emergency vehicle driver resulting from the violation, the fine shall not exceed $1,000."