RALEIGH, N.C. — The state Department of Transportation unveiled brand-new signs Thursday to educate drivers about new "Move it Over" and "Fender-Bender" laws.

The "Move Over" Law requires motorists to move over or slow down when approaching an emergency vehicle with its lights flashing on the shoulder of the highway. Doing so helps prevent further accidents and protects those who are stopped alongside the road.

Under the "Fender-Bender" Law, motorists involved in minor, non-injury accidents are required to move their vehicles to the shoulder of the road as soon as possible, reducing the chance that another accident will occur and preventing traffic back-ups.

"Our emergency responders risk their lives everyday as they work to keep the rest of us safe," said Bryan Beatty, state secretary for the Department of Crime Control and Public Safety. "These laws improve safety not only for those responders, but also for the public. We want to make sure motorists in North Carolina know what actions they need to take to preserve the well-being of their fellow citizens."

"By reducing the number of crashes on our roads, we save lives and help keep insurance rates low," said state Insurance Commissioner Jim Long. "The quest to keep our roadways safe is a joint effort, a mission that we must all strive to uphold. Increasing public awareness about these new laws is a valuable step in this mission, and we are pleased to be a part of a campaign to better protect the citizens of North Carolina."

The new signs will be installed along highways across the state. The goal is to improve safety for motorists and emergency personnel.