Minnesota State Patrol plans extra enforcement of Ted Foss Move Over Law

The Minnesota State Patrol plans extra enforcement Monday in recognition of the state’s Ted Foss Move Over Law, named for an officer who died 15 years ago. On August 31, 2000, State Patrol Trooper Ted Foss was struck and killed by a vehicle on Interstate 90 near Winona while making a traffic stop.

For Lt. Dan Lewis of the State Patrol, the law is personal. Lewis informed Foss’ mother of his death. “Every time I make a traffic stop or investigate a crash on Minnesota roads, I’m looking over my shoulder, hoping drivers are paying attention,” said Lewis in a news release last week. “I’ve been hit 11 times by cars while doing my job. That’s 11 times too many.”

The Ted Foss Move Over law is meant to protect all personnel working on roadsides.

On a road with two or more lanes going the same direction, the law requires drivers to move over one full lane from stopped emergency vehicles that have their flashing lights activated. Drivers should slow down if it is not safe to move.

“Please move over when you see flashing lights on the side of the road so we can do the same at the end of our shift,” Lewis added.

Shirley Foss, Ted Foss’ mother, spoke in front of media for the first time on Thursday.

“I wake up every day thinking Ted will walk through the door at any moment. He would be alive today if the driver would have moved over and let Ted do his job in a safe way,” Foss said. “On the 15th anniversary of my son’s death, please remember to keep your eye on the road and move over to protect those trying to do their jobs.”

No more troopers have been killed since the law was passed in 2001, but squad cars continue to be hit. So far in 2015, the State Patrol has written 435 citations and made 1,432 warnings.