WISCONSIN LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCIES REMIND RESIDENTS TO MOVE OVER FOR STOPPED EMEGENCY VEHICLES

State Patrol and other law enforcement officers continually train in ways to protect themselves and others from deadly force. But despite their best precautions, an all too prevalent type of deadly force leaves officers defenseless. While working on the side of a road during a traffic stop or to assist a motorist, officers continually face the lethal danger of being hit by fast-moving vehicles that come within a few feet — or even inches — of where they're standing or parked, according to a State Patrol press release.

To help safeguard law enforcement officers, as well as emergency responders, road maintenance workers, and others who work on the side of highways, Wisconsin has a "Move Over Law." The law requires drivers to shift lanes or slow down in order to provide a "safety zone" for a squad car, ambulance, fire truck, tow truck or highway maintenance vehicle that is stopped on the side of a road with its warning lights flashing.

Drivers have two options for creating a safety zone. "If the road has more than one directional lane, like the Interstate, and you can switch lanes safely, you must move over to vacate the lane closest to the law enforcement or other vehicle with its lights flashing," says Wisconsin State Patrol Lt. Nick Scorcio of Fond du Lac. "If the road has a single directional lane or you can't safely move over, you must reduce your speed."

The cost for violating the Move Over Law is $249 and three demerit points.

Signs to remind motorists about the Move Over Law are posted on highways near main entry points to Wisconsin. They read: "STATE LAW. MOVE OVER OR SLOW DOWN FOR STOPPED EMERGENCY VEHICLES." "Failure of motorists to move over is one of the reasons that motor vehicle crashes kill more law enforcement officers on duty than any other cause," said Scorcio. "Obeying the Move Over Law will prevent needless crashes and help protect motorists as well our officers."