FULTON COUNTY, Ga. – The Fulton County Sheriff’s Office in Georgia conducted a special detail on Saturday to focus on enforcing the Move Over Law, following an incident where one of their deputies was struck by a driver who failed to move into the next lane. Deputy Kelvin Dingle, who had been serving with the Sheriff’s Office for the last year and a half, was hit by a vehicle while working a wreck on GA-400 on June 25, 2023. He suffered a spinal cord injury and had to undergo extensive rehabilitation before returning to the job on January 8.
During the special detail, a secondary unit from the Fulton County Sheriff’s Office responded to traffic stops to ensure that drivers were adhering to the Move Over Law. Multiple citations and warnings were issued to drivers who failed to comply. Under the law, drivers in Georgia are required to move over one lane for any emergency vehicle with flashing lights on the side of the road. If it is not possible to change lanes, drivers must slow down below the posted speed limit and be prepared to stop.
Natalie Ammons, the director of communications for the Fulton County Sheriff’s Office, emphasized the importance of the Move Over Law as a safety measure. Failure to move over can result in a fine of up to $500. Ammons stated that the law is not only for the safety of everyone at the scene but also that drivers can be ticketed for non-compliance. She highlighted a fatal incident that occurred on New Year’s Day, where a woman lost her life after being hit by a driver while her car was being loaded onto a tow truck on I-20.
Deputy Dingle expressed his gratitude for being one of the fortunate ones and emphasized the life-saving potential of simply moving over. He hopes that the special detail serves as a reminder to all drivers to be vigilant and considerate on the road.
The effort by the Fulton County Sheriff’s Office on Saturday aimed to educate drivers about the importance of the Move Over Law and to prevent similar accidents from occurring in the future. By enforcing the law and raising awareness, law enforcement agencies aim to protect both emergency personnel and the public.
In conclusion, the Fulton County Sheriff’s Office carried out a special enforcement detail to highlight the importance of Georgia’s Move Over Law. After Deputy Dingle’s traumatic experience and subsequent recovery, he returned to his duties, driven by the desire to prevent others from going through what he did. The operation served as a reminder that moving over is not only mandatory but can also save lives. Through education and enforcement, law enforcement agencies aim to ensure the safety of both emergency personnel and the public on Georgia’s roads.