Remember the hubbub about the abusive-driver fines? They are the fines levied in Virginia against in-state drivers who violated certain laws. The thing that created such a maelstrom was that the fines were so high and would only impact those with Virginia licenses. There is apparently one “superfine” that remains on the books because it was created five years ago in a political fervor. It can be applied to anyone; Virginia residents aren’t alone on this one.

If you are driving down the road and approach a police officer or other rescue vehicle displaying flashing, blinking or alternating lights, then you must move out of your lane to allow for an open lane between you and the activity.

If it is physically impossible for you to change lanes safely, you must slow to at least 20 MPH under the posted speed limit. Web site www.thenewspaper.com reports that 71 percent of drivers have never heard of the “move over” law, which is a first-degree misdemeanor and carries a fine of up to $2,500. The percent of unaware drivers comes from research conducted by Virginia State Police and released in July.

I have no problem with there being a law that aims at keeping police and rescue personnel safer when they are doing their jobs out on the highways. I’ve ridden along with them and have stood with them as they try to do their jobs with cars and trucks flying by mere inches away.

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I just think that a law that carries this severe a penalty needs to be better advertised. It seems like the kind of thing that isn’t going to be part of an enforcement effort but rather a fine that is tacked on if a driver gets involved in an incident as a result of his or her failure to move over.

Forty states require an immediate lane change or a slowdown by drivers approaching police or fire activity. It’s not something unique to Virginia, but the fine is. One state, California, has had a similar law vetoed because, it was said, the law is dangerous because it creates the potential for traffic mixing near the scene of official activity.

I guess this is my effort to encourage drivers to give police and fire personnel a brake (literally) and slow down or move over when approaching areas where they are working. Yes, there is a huge fine to be avoided but there is also the risk to those who put their lives on the line for our safety.

Reader mail answered

John writes: “As a DC resident of about 30+ years, I am very happy to see the end of the zone system. I have lived at [in Southeast Washington] SE since 1988 and I have had trouble getting cabs to follow the rules of the zone system. Most drivers don’t know the zones and some have asked me since I sound knowledgeable, how much is the correct fare.”

“I wanted to suggest that seniors and others who can not afford cabs under the new system receive a card or other ID that would give them a discount.”

That kind of proves the point against the zone system; if cab drivers don’t, or claim they don’t, know the zones, then the system is/was flawed.

I suspect that the cabbies may have known better than they let on. I’m not sure that creating a separate fee structure for those who can’t afford the fares is the solution. It could lead to direct or indirect discrimination. Cabs may not want to pick them up because the fare would be lower and, perhaps, the tips lessened.