Posted by kwsrgraves (anonymous) on August 13, 2009 at 9:44 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Hey Scott, good article. Only one small suggestion: Include the Title 32 law as it is written with the article. I know how to find it. But many reading this in print, especially elderly drivers, MAY not know where to locate this information. Thanks.

Posted by AZSneed (anonymous) on August 14, 2009 at 4:31 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Common sense should be the rule, not a law. But, common sense for the most part is dead.

I have always moved over, for fear of hurting or killing anyone.

Posted by Harley2009 (anonymous) on August 14, 2009 at 7:12 a.m. (Suggest removal)

This should have be done a long time ago. Every since I have driven a car a have moved over for emergency vehicles. Just put yourself in their position.

Posted by kittycreek (anonymous) on August 14, 2009 at 8:26 a.m. (Suggest removal)

http://www.dps.state.al.us/HighwayPatrol...

If this doesn't work:

http://www.dps.state.al.us/

Have a nice weekend, everyone, and be safe. ☺

Posted by snakemeister (anonymous) on August 14, 2009 at 8:51 a.m. (Suggest removal)

The rear end accidents that will be caused by people jamming on their brakes for fear of getting a ticket when they can't get over will of course never be an issue that will be addressed.
I always get over when it's safe to but when it's not I maintain my speed, especially on the freeway. I will continue to do that as it's better to risk a ticket than an accident.
And please officers, when you pull someone over always look for the safest viable spot to stop them and then direct them as much as possible out of harms way.

Posted by 1oldman (anonymous) on August 14, 2009 at 9:29 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Snake, Most officers already do, however, many motorist panic, slam on their brakes, and may or may not clear the traffic lane to yield to the emergency vehicle. I would say all do, however their are exceptions to the all rule. I would suggest that simply decreasing speed gradually will suffice in most cases when you can't pull over, here again common sense should be the controlling factor. I wish this had been the law, many years earlier, when I was the one on the side of the road handling a situation, I might still have hair, and it may have been somewhat less gray.

Posted by my2cents (anonymous) on August 14, 2009 at 10:02 a.m. (Suggest removal)

I didn't even know that there was such a law. I just assumed people got over to make an effort to be safe. Sometimes though it isn't feasible to get over and I just slow down. Maybe that is why I haven't been pulled over for this already.

Posted by shenley (anonymous) on August 14, 2009 at 10:12 a.m. (Suggest removal)

I'm glad that this has been passed. My car broke down a few years ago on I-65 North bound in the Prattville area. The weeds were so grown up on the side that I couldn't get over very far, however, I was completely off the road, but the traffic that came by me was so fast that I thought someone was going to hit my car even though it was off the road. I requested a trooper to come to try and slow up the traffic in the right lane, but of course a trooper never showed up before AAA wrecker arrived and loaded my car and hauled it in to Clanton. I am surprised more people haven't been killed by the fast traffic.

Posted by kwsrgraves (anonymous) on August 14, 2009 at 10:53 a.m. (Suggest removal)

"The same holds true for two-lane highways." --Scott Mims article.

This is an eroneous statement according to Title 32-5A-82.1. This law applies to "two lanes traveling in the SAME direction". Many who MAY receive a citation on a two lane "road", would never know the difference. There are MANY laws the average "Joe" pays for, and doesn't know the difference.

Now, this IS a good law. I was clipped by a drunk driver, on highway 31, just south of the EMA building, by a drunk driver, while I was issuing another driver a citation. This law would NOT have made a difference. It is great for 4 lane traffic enforcement. But as Title 32-5A-82.1 is written, it has NO TEETH on a two lane road.

Posted by kwsrgraves (anonymous) on August 14, 2009 at 11:10 a.m. (Suggest removal)

CORRECTION!!!!

That should be Title 35-5A-58.1!!!

Posted by kwsrgraves (anonymous) on August 14, 2009 at 11:12 a.m. (Suggest removal)

CORRECTION!!!!

That should be Title 32-5A-58.1!!!

I'll get it right eventually. Time to go to bed.

Posted by kittycreek (anonymous) on August 14, 2009 at 2:24 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Good job, Graves- ☻☺

That graveyard shift kinda thing is a little bit rough sometimes, aint it....I never felt quite right when I was on a 3rd shift.

Take care.

Posted by pateschapel (anonymous) on August 14, 2009 at 4:25 p.m. (Suggest removal)

can't believe graves really made a miss take

Posted by kwsrgraves (anonymous) on August 14, 2009 at 4:36 p.m. (Suggest removal)

pate, "mistake". You really need to get a tutor for your kindergarten hooked on phonics course. Seems to us, you're failing.

Posted by kittycreek (anonymous) on August 14, 2009 at 4:39 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Who is Miss Take?

I'm confused....

Posted by pateschapel (anonymous) on August 14, 2009 at 4:39 p.m. (Suggest removal)

you really need to grow up you are so silly

Posted by pateschapel (anonymous) on August 14, 2009 at 4:42 p.m. (Suggest removal)

misstake is where i put a space in between

Posted by kittycreek (anonymous) on August 14, 2009 at 4:45 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Mis stake?

Aww crap-- now I'm craving steak. I need to go eat!

Posted by kwsrgraves (anonymous) on August 14, 2009 at 5:08 p.m. (Suggest removal)

"Posted by pateschapel (anonymous) on August 14, 2009 at 4:42 p.m. (Suggest removal)
misstake is where i put a space in between"

Pate, that was the least of your (MISTAKES). You are really too dumb to understand just how dumb you really sound.

I, really, thought you were intentionally writing with the phonics guide lying beside your keyboard. But the more you type, the more I feel sorry for you. Do you really live in a cardboard box, eat cat food, and poop in a slop jar?

Posted by dmims (Scott Mims) on August 14, 2009 at 9:29 p.m. (Suggest removal)

The requirement to slow down to 15 mph under the posted speed limit does hold true for two-lane highways. In the story, it may not have been clear that I meant only the speed factor, but hopefully this will clarify that. I know that I've been told by officers on the side of the highway to "slow down" when I've been driving close to the speed limit near emergency vehicles, so it's always smart to slow down as much as possible.
I will emphasize that vehicles must slow down to 15 mph below the posted speed limit, not just by 15 mph. I should clarify this also from the way it reads in the story.

Posted by pateschapel (anonymous) on August 14, 2009 at 9:43 p.m. (Suggest removal)

this is for graves i hope you've enjoyed yourself making fun of me all day but what goes around comes around i really fell sorry for you that you can make fun of someone and enjoy it so much but i haven't enjoyed it at all so i guess your going to have somemore fun on me now God BLess you

Posted by carol (anonymous) on August 15, 2009 at 5:48 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Some people just don't get you Mr Gravey! LOL Hope you have a restful night. God bless.

Posted by ATC1962 (anonymous) on August 15, 2009 at 7:31 a.m. (Suggest removal)

One of the best things accomplished was to train officers to stand on the passenger side of a car while writing citations for a traffic stop. This action for safety has probably saved many from injuries and loss of life. Driving I-65 on a daily basis, we see emergency vehicles, sometimes it is impossible to merge left away from the situation. It is appropriate to slow down and everyone should. Some just need to learn to drive. Flashing lights can usually be seen for a distance. Some are just clueless and continue to accelerate instead of simply slowing down. Write the ticket, they will soon get the clue with each increase and the cities, counties and state will then have the additional revenue.

Posted by kwsrgraves (anonymous) on August 15, 2009 at 8:17 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Carol, fully recharged at 4 am. Thanks.

pateschapel, this HAS been fun. You have been the easieast pigeon since Nimrod. You started out with your first two negative comments about Mike Minor, (whom I may or may not know. I went to school with a Michael Minor). Next, I made a neutral comment. Then you opened the door to be made fun of. The more you tried to be cute, the uglier you got. Lastly, you jumped over to this thread and continued flapping your pie hole, like a little yapping dog. So, YES, this has been fun at your expense. You bought it, you eat it! LMBO! I will explain that to you as I would a 6 year old--(LMBO means Laughing My Butt Off!) Bless your heart, you should stick to staring at the sun and playing with dust beams in the window.

Posted by pateschapel (anonymous) on August 15, 2009 at 1:16 p.m. (Suggest removal)

YES I KNOW YOU AND YES I DID SAY SOMETHING ABOUT MIKE MINOR AND IF YOU DON'T KNOW HIM HOW DO YOU KNOW I'M WRONG I WOULD NEVER HAVE BELIEVED YOU
HAD SUCH AN AWFUL MOUTH AS A MAN AS A CHILD I KNOW YOU WERE TAUGHT BETTER THAN TO MAKE FUN OF OTHERS I'LL TAKE YOUR CRAP AND STILL PRAY FOR YOU

Posted by kwsrgraves (anonymous) on August 15, 2009 at 3:24 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Still can't admit YOU started with a negative comment about Mike "Shiner" Minor. That's a nickname he earned in highschool. You started with your crap. I merely capitalized on your ignorance. That's all. And it has been hilarious. KEEP TRYING. As for an awful mouth, maybe you should read YOUR own postings. You sound like either a snot nosed child or a snuff lip filled, toothless, flannel gown, 90 year old looking, biddie, who borrowed the neighbors computer to "learn" just how ignorant you really are. Go back to sweeping the dirt around your redwood...er knotty pine deck on the front of the single wide. Cook you a spam sandwich on the hibachi grill, and get back into the PBR beer bottle. You'll never improve, but at least you will be in BLISS.

Posted by 67MUSTANGGT (anonymous) on August 15, 2009 at 3:45 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Pateschapel you sound like and unintelligent old coot who started throwing stones. Graves is being really funny at letting you make a fool of yourself. But you seem stupid enough to be foolish without kw's help. Just me voicing my opinion. Really, anyone who comments god is dead like you did is a fool.

Posted by pateschapel (anonymous) on August 15, 2009 at 4:01 p.m. (Suggest removal)

no your wrong again i live in a three story house with plenty to spend i don't drink beer and i know GOD LIVES to see such fools as you i don't really care what you have to say about me but you all will really be surprised when you find out who i am i will tell you after you have made an even bigger fool of your self have fun

Posted by 67MUSTANGGT (anonymous) on August 15, 2009 at 4:09 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Well, a three story house means your high. Because your grammar sucks. Your punctuation is equivalent to that of a hood rat.

Posted by pateschapel (anonymous) on August 15, 2009 at 4:14 p.m. (Suggest removal)

well all this grammar stuff mean i may have taught you in school

Posted by kittycreek (anonymous) on August 15, 2009 at 4:21 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Clark Kent has shown up to help side with Superman. Can you call that teamwork?

Posted by kwsrgraves (anonymous) on August 15, 2009 at 4:27 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Dilusions of grandeur...you live in a three story house, and so illiterate, you can't make many coherent sentences. That's rich. Keep trying. Want me to ship you some digital learning blocks from here in Las Vegas? There's about 4 Costco stores that sell them within 15 miles of here in this 3 story 10,000 square foot dwelling.

Posted by kittycreek (anonymous) on August 15, 2009 at 4:32 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Y'all are having entirely too much fun with this one!

Posted by kwsrgraves (anonymous) on August 15, 2009 at 5:01 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Kitty, Lois, etc...BEHAVE!

Posted by kittycreek (anonymous) on August 15, 2009 at 5:13 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Hee, hee, hee!

Ok, I'll behave.

Have a good evening!

Posted by pateschapel (anonymous) on August 15, 2009 at 5:27 p.m. (Suggest removal)

have your fun graves but when i see you again i have something real nice for you i 've just been having fun with you hope you did

Posted by kwsrgraves (anonymous) on August 15, 2009 at 6:54 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Is that a date invitation?

Posted by pateschapel (anonymous) on August 15, 2009 at 7:18 p.m. (Suggest removal)

not at all I'm very happy with the man in my life hope you are with your wife also I just would like to give you something nice when we meet again hope your wife is with you.lol

Posted by kwsrgraves (anonymous) on August 15, 2009 at 8:53 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Thanks.

I hope you realize this is not personal. It's a screen name labled anonymous for you. Therefore, having fun at your expense is akin to picking on a clown in disguise at the circus. However, I figured you out quick with your last four comments. And I was a little off base with some the comments. For that I apologize. But it WAS fun! LOL!

Posted by blackwater (anonymous) on August 16, 2009 at 7:17 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Most things understood to be 'common sense' are neither common nor sensical.

Posted by volunteer (anonymous) on August 16, 2009 at 11:34 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Hey Graves the Mike Minor you went to school with is not the same Mike that tore apart the 2 departments at collins chapel f.d. It would be an insult to the one that me and you went to school with to even compare the 2. this Mike is a good bit older and unlike shiner he is only out for himself.

Posted by kwsrgraves (anonymous) on August 16, 2009 at 1:38 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Thanks for the clarification.
Now, Scott Mims, you NEED to read the statute. Moving into an opposing lane of traffic, outside of a safe passing zone is ILLEGAL. This statute states "four lanes... with not less than two lanes traveling in the SAME direction". Your carelessness, on it's face, is potentially dangerous and ILLEGAL.

Posted by kwsrgraves (anonymous) on August 16, 2009 at 2:46 p.m. (Suggest removal)

ADDITIONALLY:

"EFFECTIVE DATE: May 20, 2009.
Act 2009-577, HB361, is the Alabama Move Over Act. The act requires the driver of a motor vehicle to move over or slow down, as specified, when approaching a law enforcement vehicle, an emergency vehicle, or wrecker using visual signals, provides penalties for violations, and requires the Department of Public Safety to institute a public awareness campaign. The act also repeals Section 32-5A-58.1, Code of Alabama 1975.

Now, COMMON SENSE should prevail. However, when people enter a vehicle it seems to become a personal domain that is impervious and invincible to all environments in it's vicinity. And the driver's become oblivious to all potential hazards. This law was re-written for the protection of SAFETY workers. But not at the expense of other drivers and or pedestrians on the roadway. And a specified speed reduction, (15-20-30-MPH etc...) is NOT expressed in this law.

Many take your print as truth and law. It is not. Just as a law enforcement officer, lawyer, and as has been PROVEN in our local court, Judge, are not always RIGHT in their use, interpretation and judication of traffic statutes.

I am somewhat passionate, as, twice I have been victim of a local officer mis-using a traffic statute. Once, a judge refused to even read the statute, thus rendering a wrongful decision, which I won on appeal. All without the aid of an attorney. Why?

Because when I was a law enforcement officer I spent all of my spare time reading and studying Titles 13A and 32. Not hanging out in parking lots flirting with teenage girls.

With that diligence I NEVER lost a traffic case and only 1 criminal (domestic violence, with a couple who couldn't decide if they wanted to love or fight).

It doesn't take a genius to study a subject. And if I were writing this type article, I would have included the statute as it is worded, not quotes from others. NO OFFENSE Kevin and Brian. Please do not take this personally.

Posted by davyhay (anonymous) on August 18, 2009 at 8:33 p.m. (Suggest removal)

With all that money to spend, someone needs to buy some punctuation.

How is that for concise, Mr. Graves?