SOUTH DAKOTA POLICE ISSUE MOVE OVER LAW WARNINGS

Rapid City Police are trying to educate more people on the move over law.

Officers on Thursday issued 93 warnings to drivers for not abiding by the move over law. Those stops also resulted in 33 other citations ranging from no insurance to driving under revocation.

Lt. James Johns said each motorist also was given a flyer with information about the law. Motorists also were asked if they knew about the move over law and of 93 drivers stopped, 73 said they were unaware the law is in effect.

The move over law, which went into effect in 2003, requires motorists on interstates and highways with two or more lanes traveling in the same direction as the vehicle must merge into the lane farthest from a vehicle stopped on the side of the road and proceed with caution.

On two-lane highways, motorists must slow to a speed at least 20 miles per hour less than the posted speed limit. A violation of the move over law is a class 2 misdemeanor punishable by up to 30 days in jail and a $500 fine.

Johns said the police department will continue its education effort to inform the public of this safety concern and others throughout the year.

http://www.rapidcityjournal.com/articles/2008/02/01/news/local/ doc47a371c8cdef2283411260.txt