Connecticut: State police issue 479 tickets for 'Move Over' violations

State police troopers issued 479 tickets during its "Move Over Law campaign" that is meant to raise awareness about the state's law that motorists move over on the highway, when it's safe to do so, to make room for emergency vehicles, highway maintenance crews and tow trucks.

State police issued the tickets from 8 a.m. Feb. 22 to 11:59 p.m. Friday, the campaign's final day, according to a state police news release.

Fines starts at $181 and increase depending on multiple offenses or other factors. The state police promoted the law during the first week on social media, posting information, pictures and videos about the Move Over Law, and its importance. Seven troopers have died after being struck by a motor vehicle while on duty, according to the state police.

Locally, James Savage, a state trooper out of Troop L in Litchfield, was struck and killed by a car on Route 8 in Watertown 30 years ago.

Auxiliary Trooper Edward W. Truelove died in November 1992 after he was struck by a truck while sitting in his cruiser waiting for a tow truck to handle a disabled car.

In December 1982, state police Lt. James Carney died on I-84 in Southbury after he was struck by the trailer portion of a tractor-trailer.