This bill, known as "Sherrill's Law," amends existing motorist duties when approaching highway emergencies by including stopped or standing vehicles as situations requiring special attention from drivers. The new legal language specifies that when drivers encounter incidents involving emergencies such as fires, collisions, or utility work, they must also give a wide berth to stopped or standing vehicles that display warning signals, including hazard lights, flares, or caution signs. The bill emphasizes the need for drivers to maintain a reduced speed and, if practical, to safely navigate around these vehicles without endangering oncoming traffic.

Additionally, the bill removes previous language that specifically mentioned giving a wide berth only to public safety personnel and vehicles displaying emergency lights. Instead, it broadens the scope to include any stopped or standing vehicle, thereby enhancing safety for all individuals on the roadway. The bill is set to take effect 60 days after its passage and may have indeterminable fiscal impacts on state and local expenditures due to potential changes in judicial and correctional costs associated with enforcement.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 265:37-a