Every day, law enforcement officers, emergency responders, and other roadside workers risk their lives to help keep Americans safe. One of the most dangerous parts of an officer’s job is stepping out of his or her patrol car and onto the side of the road, whether it is for a traffic stop, to assist a motorist, or to investigate a crash. Tragically, dozens have been killed in the line of duty. Since 2017, there have been 149 law enforcement officers alone killed in traffic-related incidents. Between 2006-2017, on average, one law enforcement officer was killed during a traffic-related incident each week.

To protect those who protect us, every state has a variation of a “Move Over” law, requiring drivers to move over and/or slow down when approaching stopped vehicles with flashing lights activated. In fact, the “Move Over” laws do not only apply to law enforcement — these laws also help protect other first responders, tow truck drivers, and any emergency vehicle drivers with flashing lights activated. Some state laws also protect utility workers and other roadside workers.

The “Move Over” law isn’t new: It was first introduced in South Carolina in 1996. By 2012, similar laws were passed in all 50 states with the goal to protect emergency responders working along the roadside, yet one-third of the public is not aware of these laws.

The law varies from state to state and it is the driver’s responsibility to know their state’s specific requirements. In Kentucky the law requires drivers to move over for both stationary and approaching emergency vehicles on the road. Drivers must vacate the closest lane to the emergency vehicle, if possible, or reduce speed to a safe level if changing lanes is not an option.

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Slowing down and moving over is a simple way to help protect law enforcement, first responders, and others who work on the roads at all hours of the day. These emergency personnel work in dangerous situations all the time, but drivers really increase that risk for them when they zoom by and ignore the flashing lights — and the law. That’s why all drivers need to know the law and follow it. By following this law, we protect those who protect us.

National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has kicked off a campaign to make more drivers aware of the law and its benefits if followed. Many drivers seem to think that moving over is just an optional courtesy when they see law enforcement or emergency vehicles pulled over on the side of the road. It’s not optional. Move Over. It’s the Law.

Emergency and other roadside personnel can only do so much to keep themselves safe when they pull over on the side of the road. The rest of the responsibility falls on other motorists. Remember, next time you see those flashing lights on the side of the road, Move Over. It’s the Law.

For more information about the Move Over. It’s the Law. campaign, visit https://exchange.aaa.com/automotive/roadside-assistance/slow-down-move-over/.

Source: https://www.trafficsafetymarketing.gov/