Annapolis, MD – Today, the Maryland Automobile Insurance Fund (MAIF) is proud to announce a partnership with the Maryland State Police to promote awareness of Maryland’s “Move Over” law.
The law, which went into effect on October 1, 2010, requires drivers approaching a police or emergency response vehicle on the side of the road to immediately reduce speed and move over, away from the shoulder if at all possible. Many Maryland drivers are still unaware that failure to do so is a violation of the law, and the lack of doing so creates unnecessary risk to police officers and emergency personnel.
A total of twenty-five law enforcement officers were struck and killed in the United States in 2010 and 2011. (Source: National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund).
“MAIF is committed not only to insuring Maryland drivers, but to helping insure the safety of Maryland’s roadways,” said MAIF Executive Director, M. Kent Krabbe. “Our law enforcement and emergency personnel risk their lives every day working toward that same goal. Each one of us has a responsibility to make sure that they are able to perform their duty safely,” he added.
In support of its goal of promoting safer driving habits, MAIF has generously provided
the Maryland State Police, as well as other state and local law enforcement and emergency response agencies, with bumpers stickers that read, “If I’m on the shoulder: Slow Down. Move Over. It’s the law.”
These stickers will be displayed on police, fire, and EMS vehicles throughout Maryland to help raise awareness for the “Move Over” law.
ABOUT MAIF
Helping Maryland drivers for forty years, the Maryland Automobile Insurance Fund was created by the General Assembly in 1972 and provides automobile insurance to eligible Maryland residents that have been turned down by two or more private carriers, or cancelled by one. MAIF receives no General Funds or taxpayer funding from the State of Maryland. Its operating funds are comprised of insurance premiums and revenue from MAIF’s investment income.
