TROOPER'S INCIDENT HAS SOME EYEING 'MOVE OVER' LAW

Nebraska state trooper was recovering on Monday after someone smashed into his patrol car Sunday night, and some say the incident proves the need for a new law.

Trooper David Samuelson was pulled over on Interstate 80 near Gretna Sunday with his lights flashing when his cruiser was hit from behind. Two people in the car Samuelson had pulled over were hurt, plus Samuelson and another motorist.

Samuelson's car is the third to be hit on the interstate in the past two months, the state patrol said.

Most states have something called a "move over" law, which requires drivers to change lanes for emergency vehicles stopped along the road. Nebraska does not, and it leaves the state patrol pleading with motorists to drive defensively and get out of the way of emergency vehicles.

"They're happening with a little too much frequency. One is too many, but we're getting some people hurt," said Nebraska State Patrol Capt. Tom Schwarten.

Last month, an official vehicle was damaged in Bellevue and a Hasting-based trooper was hurt in a collision similar to Samuelson's.

Schwarten said troopers learn how to make safe traffic stops, but the public needs to be just as cautious.

"The key to the whole thing is if we drive defensively, we're prepared. If we see emergency vehicles on the side of the roadway, we move over for those vehicles," Schwarten said.

The captain said a lot of drivers panic and some even slam on the brakes when they see flashing lights. He said sometimes they're just not paying attention to the road ahead.

"We see a lot of people taking photographs with car phones when they're going by incidents. People are just paying way too much attention to a patrol unit or emergency vehicle," Schwarten said.

Many of the states surrounding Nebraska will ticket drivers who don't move over to avoid emergency crews. Schwarten said legislation is a possibility in Nebraska, but a law won't be enough. There is a law in Nebraska requiring drivers to move over for moving emergency vehicles.

"There's research being done to promote this within the state of Nebraska, but passing laws and while they're on the books the issue is voluntary compliance and that is the key," Schwarten said.