Committee clarifies 'move over' requirement for traffic stops after court interpretation concerns

Representative Lim presented House Bill 1161 to clarify state law so that, when safe to do so, drivers must move to the right to allow law enforcement to perform a traffic stop. Lim said courts have interpreted the existing code section governing yielding for passing emergency vehicles in ways that left a gap for stops, citing Jackson v. State and Burrell v. State as examples where the appeals court limited the statute’s reach.

Sergeant Etheridge of the Glynn County Police Department told the committee prosecutors and courts had concluded the cited code sections apply to vehicles yielding to emergency vehicles passing, not to vehicles being stopped, and that officers had found people stopping in a middle lane on highways such as I‑85. Etheridge said that judicial interpretations meant there was no clear code provision preventing drivers from stopping in a travel lane when being pulled over, which put officers at risk.

Members raised concerns about driver confusion—such as the 'freeze' reaction when lights are seen, similar appearances of solid versus flashing blue lights, and the risk of being cited for fleeing if a driver delays while attempting to move right. Sponsor Lim and supporters said the bill’s language includes exceptions for unsafe circumstances and aims to harmonize traffic‑stop guidance with existing move‑over principles rather than create a black‑and‑white rule.

Committee members discussed outreach and education as part of implementation. The committee moved the bill and approved it by voice vote.