“We’ve been noticing a lot of vehicles just drive the speed limit right past you, within a foot of us, as we’re doing a traffic stop,”  Deputy Sheriff Paul Abrego with the Riverside County Sheriff’s Department said.

The Move Over law requires drivers to change lanes or slow down when approaching stopped emergency or utility vehicles with flashing emergency or hazard lights, to protect personnel.

“For example, if it’s a 40-mile-per-hour zone, the good practice would be to cut your speed down to 20 miles per hour as you’re passing. If you’re unable to change lanes,” Abrego said.

He said the law applies to law enforcement, fire crews, ambulances, tow truck drivers, and Caltrans workers.

“It’s not only on the highways,” Abrego said. “This is also required on city roads.”

Abrego said ignoring the law puts lives at risk.

“It could cause a fatal accident. It could cause serious injury,” he said. “All these roadside workers have loved ones at home… It’s courtesy as well as the law.”

Starting soon, Abrego said the Riverside County Sheriff’s Office (RSO) will launch enforcement operations.

Riverside County drivers who fail to move over or slow down face a $234 traffic fine.

“If something major happens, someone gets seriously injured, or a fatal accident happens, you can be charged criminally for the incident,” Abrego said.

The post Riverside County Sheriff’s Department cracking down on ‘Move Over’ violations appeared first on The Hemet & San Jacinto Chronicle.

Whether you have a new young e-bike rider, or are a seasoned adult rider, be sure to join the Riverside County Sheriff’s Department Southwest Sheriff’s Station for an informational event about roadway safety, proper gear and helmets, riding hazards, and more.

The meeting will be held from 6 to 7:30 p.m. on Wednesday, April 9, at the Temecula Public Library, 30600 Pauba Road.

Parents and guardians are encouraged to attend with their children and teenagers for an open conversation with police.

In March, a group of e-bike and motorcyclists drew a strong police presence on area streets when they blocked traffic and refused to move. The Riverside County Sheriff’s Department said one teenager was arrested after a large group of motorcyclists and e-bike riders blocked a Temecula roadway.

At that time, deputies encountered approximately 20 juveniles riding recklessly and blocking traffic by riding across the entire width of the street. A Southwest Station Deputy attempted to stop one rider on an unregistered motorcycle, but that motorcyclist refused to comply. The suspect reportedly sped off, running stop signs and posing a serious risk to public safety, deputies said. One teenager, believed to be that rider, was later taken into custody and booked on suspicion of felony evading authorities, and his motorcycle was seized.

In Temecula, E-bike safety has been a topic of conversation on social media and among city council members, including Mayor Brenden Kalfus.

“The truth is: E-Bikes can be awesome… when used legally and appropriately,” he said in the below post.

The post Got E-Bike Safety Concerns? Here’s What Temecula Is Doing About It appeared first on The Hemet & San Jacinto Chronicle.