HIGHWAY SIGNS PROTECT EMERGENCY WORKERS IN OKLAHOMA

A law is helping protect Oklahoma officers and rescue workers who are parked on the sides of roads. The law went into effect in July of 2001. It requires drivers approaching emergency vehicles to reduce their speed and proceed with caution. The Oklahoma Department of Transportation installed 28 signs statewide along interstates and highway entrances. The signs warn drivers to move over and reduce their speed when approaching emergency crews.

"What we are trying to do is get people to pay attention to what is going on around them. Get them to look at the signs, read them and follow what the sign says," said Trooper Betsy Randolph, Oklahoma Highway Patrol.