TENNESSEE LAWMAKER WANTS TO STIFFEN MOVE OVER LAW

Signs along the highway warn drivers of a stiff fine if they fail to move over for emergency vehicles. But a lot of people are still not moving over and lawmakers want it to be more costly to drivers. On Interstate 75 near Knoxville in 2005, Trooper Rodney Redmon was able to walk away after being struck by a car on the highway.

But a month later, Trooper Todd Larkins was not as fortunate in Dickson County. "His biggest fear was being ran over. We actually had a conversation probably a week before he was killed about it," said Larkins' wife Alicia Larkins. Last year, 13 out of the 49 officers nationwide killed in the line of duty were struck by a vehicle.

The state's move over law has increased awareness. "It's very vital to us, because most of our officers that are killed on THP are run over," said Tennessee Highway Patrol Lt. Tony Barham. But not everyone is paying attention. In 2006, troopers wrote almost 1,500 citations; last year from January to early June, the number was 638.

Some lawmakers are trying to increase the penalties. "There are real consequences if you fail to move over and you violate the law and someone is seriously injured or killed. You can very well face a felony in Tennessee," said state Sen. Doug Jackson. In addition, repeat offenders could face fines from $500 to $1,000 on the second violation. If someone gets caught a third time, the ticket would be at least $1,000.

Larkins is hoping the threat of a high fine will make people keep a sharp eye on the shoulder. "We we really pay attention until it strikes us at home or there's enough of a penalty that hits you at home. I think that's what it's going to take to get people's attention," said Larkins.