Atmore Man Arrested On DUI Charges After He Fails To ‘Move Over’

July 8, 2009

An Atmore man was arrested on DUI charges early Sunday morning by Flomaton Police after he failed to “move over’ as he approached a traffic stop.

smithalmie.jpgFlomaton Police Officer Daniel Thompson was conducting a routine traffic stop on Highway 31 in Flomaton at 1:18 a.m. Sunday. Thompson reported that a 1991 Lincoln Town Car driven by Almie Smith, 68, of Atmore, was approaching the traffic stop and driving in the outside lane close to the officer. According to Thompson the vehicle failed to move to the inside lane and a safe distance away from the officer. Thompson then stopped the vehicle for violating the move over law.

As the officer approached the vehicle he reported the odor of an alcoholic beverage which eventually led to Smith’s arrest on charges of driving under the influence, according to Flomaton Police Chief Tim R. Hardage.

Hardage said that an Alabama law called the “Move Over Law” requires drivers on four lane roadways to reduce speed and move over to the inside lane away from emergency vehicles and officers. Hardage said that the law, which went into effect in July 2006, is aimed at preventing injury to emergency workers.

“Sometimes cars are so close you can feel the wind off the vehicle up your pants leg,” Hardage said. “That’s too close.”

Pictured: Almie Smith, 68, of Atmore was arrested on DUI charges by Flomaton Police. Submitted photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.

Comments

3 Responses to “Atmore Man Arrested On DUI Charges After He Fails To ‘Move Over’”

  1. AHHN on July 9th, 2009 9:25 pm

    I agree with kim. With all the bad drivers out there we can do without him on the road.

  2. Kim Godwin on July 8th, 2009 8:04 am

    I’m glad that Mr. Smith was “sniffed out” before he had the chance to kill himself, or someone else…… You’d think of all people that he would know what alcohol can do to someone when behind the wheel………..

  3. Elmo Blatch on July 8th, 2009 6:05 am

    “As the officer approached the vehicle he reported the odor of an alcoholic beverage…”

    As he “approached the vehicle”? Wow! Must have been some REALLY potent booz! So, what was Almie’s B.A.C.?