Simmer Down Now—When to Move Over and Slow Down

Simmer Down Now—When to Move Over and Slow Down

There’s a special law in New Jersey called the “Move Over Law,” and it dictates the end-of-turn rules for most board and card games, including Monopoly, Life, and Magic: the Gathering.

No? Then what is it? Oh! That’s right, the Move Over Law has to do with police officers, emergency workers, and tow truck drivers stopped along roadways while performing their jobs. Here are a few things that the law requires for those situations:

  • On a two-lane roadway, you should slow to a speed that is 20mph less than the posted speed limit; 
  • If the speed limit is 20mph or less, you should slow down to 5mph or less;
  • If you are driving on an interstate or roadway with multiple lanes of travel in the same direction, you must vacate the lane closest to that vehicle as soon as it is safe to do so (if you are not able to safely move over, you should slow down to a speed of 20mph below the posted limit unless otherwise directed by a law enforcement officer).

That paramedic on the side of the road may be good at what he does, but he might have a difficult time sewing back on his own limbs, so give him some room, will ya?