Officers Escape Serious Injury After Driver Crashes Into Patrol Vehicles

HOWARD COUNTY, MD — Two police officers narrowly missed being seriously injured - or worse - while working a traffic stop and arrest on northbound I-95 near Route 175 Wednesday night.

The Howard County officers watched a vehicle hit their two parked patrol vehicles pulled off onto the shoulder. One officer was briefly pinned against the guardrail, which left the officer with minor injuries. The driver also sustained minor injuries, the police department stated.

The Howard County Police Department reminds residents that this incident wouldn't have happened if the driver had abided by Maryland's Move Over Law. That law requires drives to make a lane change away from or slow down when approaching any stopped, standing or parked vehicle displaying warning signals. This includes emergency vehicles, work vehicles or a personal vehicle.

The Move Over Law is part of the Zero Deaths Maryland initiative. The original law was passed in 2010 and provided protection only for emergency responders, law enforcement personnel and CHART trucks providing roadside assistance to drivers. In 2014, the law expanded to included tow truck drivers. In 2022, the law branched out even further to include all stopped, standing or parked vehicles.

Violating the law is a misdemeanor carrying a $110 fine and one point on a driver's license. If the violation causes a crash, the fine is $150 and three points. If there is a death or serious injury, the fine is $750 and three points.