INJURED TROOPER IS A BELIEVER IN 'MOVE-OVER' LAW

When Florida Highway Patrol Trooper John Baker hears tires screech or sees cars collide, he cringes. The feeling is all too familiar. For the second time in his career, the 41-year-old last week was struck by a car during a traffic stop. A hit-and-run driver in an SUV barreled into Baker March 19 as he sat in his cruiser finishing a minor-accident report on Interstate 95 near the Cypress Creek exit.Less than three years ago, an SUV on Interstate 95 sideswiped Baker's patrol car. In both cases, he suffered minor injuries.

''The first time it happened it took me a while to get over it,'' Baker said. ``I hear something and I'm not really sure what to make of it.''

LIFE-SAVER

Baker has participated in several traffic safety campaigns that stress the importance of the 2002 ''Move-Over'' law. The law requires motorists to steer a lane away from police, ambulances and tow truck drivers at the side of the road. If traffic is congested, drivers are supposed to slow down to 20 mph below the speed limit. Those who are cited and convicted get three points on their license and may face a $115.50 fine.

''I'd like to think this law saves lives,'' Baker said.

Since 2001, there has been an average of more than 700 crashes a year in which someone hits a law enforcement vehicle stopped on the roadside or slowing down to stop. At least three people have died in such crashes in Florida since 2001, according to FHP.

I-595 DEATH

Since the law went into effect in 2002 there has been one death, according to FHP. On Feb. 15, 2002, BSO Deputy Ryan Seguin was killed after being hit by a car while making a traffic stop in the westbound lanes of Interstate 595, just west of Flamingo Road. Seguin pulled over a Ford Taurus that almost sideswiped him. As he stood next to the Taurus, a car swerved to the right and smashed into Seguin.

Baker was much more fortunate.

On March 19, Baker was responding to his fourth traffic accident of the day when his patrol car was hit shortly after 10:30 a.m.

''I was sitting in my car with the emergency lights on,'' he said. ``I heard a bump and felt everything move forward. I thought my car was going to flip over.''

The 19-year FHP veteran was rushed to Broward General Medical Center with nonlife threatening injuries to the head, neck and back.

Kenneth D. Miller, the hit-and-run driver, hit another car on I-95, then veered off the road and hit Baker's car, according to the highway patrol.

`LUCKY AGAIN'

Miller got out of his car and ran through a small canal near the Interstate before hitching a ride to Dania Beach, according to FHP.

Several law-enforcement agencies, including the Fort Lauderdale Police Department and the Broward Sheriff's Office, scoured the area searching for the driver, but he got away.

Miller surrendered to authorities on Friday.

Doctors are still running tests and scans on Baker, but he is in good condition. He looked at his cruiser parked at the Davie Florida Highway Patrol Station on Tuesday. The right side of the bumper is smashed in and the shattered rear-view window is covered with a tarp.

''I was lucky again,'' he said looking at the banged-up car. ``I have my guardian angels.''