When you see red and blue flashing lights on the right shoulder of a California highway, what do you actually do? Under the updated California move over law, simply easing off the gas might still leave you on the wrong side of the vehicle code—and put a human life in direct danger. In this episode of Unseen Impact, hosts Rory and Kerrie sit down with retired California Highway Patrol (CHP) motorcycle officer Joseph "Joe" Heightman. Having spent his career patrolling over 100,000 miles of interstate, Joe shares the reality of standing just feet away from traffic moving at 65+ MPH, how traffic collision reports truly get written, and what happened when he went from taking crash reports to waking up in a hospital bed with over 20 broken bones.

Whether you are trying to understand California highway safety, learning how police reports impact a personal injury claim after a tragedy, or wanting a behind-the-scenes look at the daily life of a CHP moto officer, this conversation breaks down the critical gap between what is legally allowed and what is actually safe. We dive into the mechanics of the Move Over and Slow Down rule, the role of Multidisciplinary Accident Investigation Teams (MAIT), and why a single four-second distraction on the freeway can alter a family's life forever.

What is the biggest mistake or distraction you notice drivers making on the highway? Tell us in the comments below!

If this episode helped you see the road differently, please hit the Like button, Share this video with someone who drives in California, and Subscribe to Unseen Impact for more honest, human-first legal insights.

 

Timestamps
● 00:00 - The Reality of Working on California Highways
● 01:34 - Full Disclosure: Client, Officer, and Guest
● 02:27 - California's Updated Move Over and Slow Down Law
● 03:48 - Surviving a 50 MPH Motorcycle Crash as a CHP Officer
● 05:33 - Traumatic Brain Injury & Memory Loss After a Severe Collision
● 07:07 - How CHP Officers Investigate Traffic Collisions
● 09:32 - Can a Police Traffic Collision Report Be Edited or Changed?
● 12:12 - Why Police Reports Are Critical in Personal Injury Claims
● 18:18 - Inside CHP Motorcycle Training ("Motor School")
● 22:42 - What Most Drivers Get Wrong About Emergency Lights
● 26:08 - What You Should Immediately Do After a Highway Crash
● 30:14 - How to Provide an Accurate Witness Statement to Dispatch
● 34:27 - How Police Officers Decide When to Call an Ambulance
● 37:40 - A Day in the Life of a California Highway Patrol Officer
● 53:48 - The Unseen Dangers of Pulling Vehicles Over
● 01:00:55 - The #1 Cause of Traffic Accidents on California Freeways
● 01:05:00 - The Unseen Impact: 4 Seconds That Change a Life
 

When you see red and blue flashing lights on the right shoulder of a California highway, what do you actually do? Under the updated California move over law, simply easing off the gas might still leave you on the wrong side of the vehicle code&mdash;and put a human life in direct danger. In this episode of Unseen Impact, hosts Rory and Kerrie sit down with retired California Highway Patrol (CHP) motorcycle officer Joseph "Joe" Heightman. Having spent his career patrolling over 100,000 miles of interstate, Joe shares the reality of standing just feet away from traffic moving at 65+ MPH, how traffic collision reports truly get written, and what happened when he went from taking crash reports to waking up in a hospital bed with over 20 broken bones.
Whether you are trying to understand California highway safety, learning how police reports impact a personal injury claim after a tragedy, or wanting a behind-the-scenes look at the daily life of a CHP moto officer, this conversation breaks down the critical gap between what is legally allowed and what is actually safe. We dive into the mechanics of the Move Over and Slow Down rule, the role of Multidisciplinary Accident Investigation Teams (MAIT), and why a single four-second distraction on the freeway can alter a family's life forever.
What is the biggest mistake or distraction you notice drivers making on the highway? Tell us in the comments below!
If this episode helped you see the road differently, please hit the Like button, Share this video with someone who drives in California, and Subscribe to Unseen Impact for more honest, human-first legal insights.
&nbsp;
Timestamps ● 00:00 - The Reality of Working on California Highways ● 01:34 - Full Disclosure: Client, Officer, and Guest ● 02:27 - California's Updated Move Over and Slow Down Law ● 03:48 - Surviving a 50 MPH Motorcycle Crash as a CHP Officer ● 05:33 - Traumatic Brain Injury &amp; Memory Loss After a Severe Collision ● 07:07 - How CHP Officers Investigate Traffic Collisions ● 09:32 - Can a Police Traffic Collision Report Be Edited or Changed? ● 12:12 - Why Police Reports Are Critical in Personal Injury Claims ● 18:18 - Inside CHP Motorcycle Training ("Motor School") ● 22:42 - What Most Drivers Get Wrong About Emergency Lights ● 26:08 - What You Should Immediately Do After a Highway Crash ● 30:14 - How to Provide an Accurate Witness Statement to Dispatch ● 34:27 - How Police Officers Decide When to Call an Ambulance ● 37:40 - A Day in the Life of a California Highway Patrol Officer ● 53:48 - The Unseen Dangers of Pulling Vehicles Over ● 01:00:55 - The #1 Cause of Traffic Accidents on California Freeways ● 01:05:00 - The Unseen Impact: 4 Seconds That Change a Life &nbsp;

Rory Pendergast, Lead Attorney at Rory Law, discusses the unseen impact and ripple effects on victims of various injuries in "The Unseen Impact"  

Unseen Impact with Rory Pendergast explores the ripple effects of personal injury cases, shedding light on the hidden ways accidents, negligence, and injustice shape lives and explores the economic, physical, and emotional damages endured.

Each episode features mental health, physical injury, and industry professionals to examine the widespread effects of various injuries on individuals, families, and communities. 

Rory Pendergast, a California-based attorney originally from Montana, hosts a show where he discusses the unseen impact and ripple effects on victims of various injuries. He advocates in court on behalf of victims of revenge pornography (non-consensual pornography), physical and mental injury, and property destruction.

<a href="https://rorylaw.com/">Rory Pendergast</a>, Lead Attorney at Rory Law, discusses the unseen impact and ripple effects on victims of various injuries in "The Unseen Impact"&nbsp;&nbsp;
Unseen Impact with Rory Pendergast explores the ripple effects of personal injury cases, shedding light on the hidden ways accidents, negligence, and injustice shape lives and explores the economic, physical, and emotional damages endured.
Each episode features mental health, physical injury, and industry professionals to examine the widespread effects of various injuries on individuals, families, and communities.&nbsp;
Rory Pendergast, a California-based attorney originally from Montana, hosts a show where he discusses the unseen impact and ripple effects on victims of various injuries. He advocates in court on behalf of victims of revenge pornography (non-consensual pornography), physical and mental injury, and property destruction.

Unseen Impact 

Unseen Impact is a podcast that looks beyond legal headlines to explore how personal injury truly affects people’s lives. Hosted by Rory Pendergast—a legal marketing strategist with over a decade of experience in the justice space—the show examines the real-world consequences of accidents, negligence, and systemic failures. Each episode features conversations with professionals in mental health, physical rehabilitation, and law—as well as those with lived experience—to shed light on the emotional, physical, and financial aftermath of personal injury. Rory brings a thoughtful, trauma-informed lens to each interview, creating space for guests to share insights that help educate, humanize, and advocate.

Unseen Impact is a podcast that looks beyond legal headlines to explore how personal injury truly affects people&rsquo;s lives. Hosted by Rory Pendergast&mdash;a legal marketing strategist with over a decade of experience in the justice space&mdash;the show examines the real-world consequences of accidents, negligence, and systemic failures. Each episode features conversations with professionals in mental health, physical rehabilitation, and law&mdash;as well as those with lived experience&mdash;to shed light on the emotional, physical, and financial aftermath of personal injury. Rory brings a thoughtful, trauma-informed lens to each interview, creating space for guests to share insights that help educate, humanize, and advocate.