A practice that has been followed by professional drivers for decades is largely ignored by many other drivers in Washington state.

As a result, Gov. Christine Gregoire has signed a bill into law that raises the penalty for drivers in the state who won’t pull over or otherwise make way for emergency vehicles.

The new law, previously SB5038, increases the penalty for not yielding from as much as $101 to a flat fine of $500.

The law, which takes effect July 24, also requires drivers to move to another lane or reduce their speed when they are approaching an emergency vehicle with its flashing lights on while parked or stopped by the side of multilane roads.

Vancouver, WA, Police Chief Brian Martinek referred to drivers’ lack of caution around emergency vehicles as a significant and seemingly growing problem.

Some drivers apparently don’t know they are required to pull to the right to allow approaching emergency vehicles a clear path, while others just appear to ignore the lights and sirens, Martinek told The Columbian.

“It seems we have a certain segment who just don’t feel they have to get out of the way,” he said.

The bill’s sponsor, Sen. Jim Honeyford, R-Sunnyside, is a former police officer. He said the new law strikes a good balance.

“It takes into consideration people who are hard of hearing or simply not paying attention, but it punishes those who blatantly defy the law,” Honeyford said in a released statement.

Washington isn’t the only state moving to enact tougher rules on unyielding drivers.

The North Carolina House has approved a similar measure that would toughen penalties for motorists in the state who fail to slow down or move over for emergency personnel.

Motorists who fail to move to another lane when approaching an emergency vehicle with flashing lights parked or standing by the side of multilane roads or reduce speed while on a two-lane road could be fined $250.

Current North Carolina law allows for a fine of up to $25 and $100 in court costs, Raleigh’s The News & Observer reported.

Motorists whose inaction results in an accident, injury or death would face increased penalties. If an emergency official is seriously injured or killed, offenders could get possible prison time and a six-month driver’s license revocation.

HB288 has been forwarded to the state’s Senate for further consideration.