Washington State Patrol targeting drivers who don’t move over

Mon., Oct. 26, 2015

OLYMPIA – The Washington State Patrol will be working this week to make sure motorists know they need to move over when they see emergency vehicles on the side of the road.

WSP Chief John Batiste announced Monday that the patrol will be conducting “emphasis patrols” statewide from Tuesday to Thursday to bring increased awareness to the “Move Over Law.”

Between 2007 and 2014, 212 patrol vehicles have been struck while troopers were conducting traffic stops or providing motorist assistance, officials said.

State law requires drivers approaching an emergency zone to either move over to another lane in the same direction, if possible, or proceed with caution and reduce the speed of their vehicle. Last year, troopers stopped more than 4,000 violators.

Emergency vehicles include police, fire, medical, tow trucks and other vehicles providing roadside assistance.

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