Minnesota: Move Over Law finds most motorists obey the rules

A one-day enforcement of the Ted Foss Move Over Law resulted in a DWI arrest and 24 citations for failing to move over for emergency personnel. The Olmsted County Sheriff's Office, Rochester Police Department and Minnesota State Patrol all participated in the event Wednesday.

During the campaign, the local agencies conducted 156 traffic stops for various violations, according to a news release from the sheriff's office. In addition to the DWI and the 24 citations for failing to move over, officers issued 43 speed citations and 6 citations for unlicensed drivers, the release says. They also arrested two people for other criminal violations.

Law enforcement noted that the majority of traffic complied with moving over to allow emergency personnel to safely work along the highway. The law was named in honor of Ted Foss, a Kenyon native and state patrol trooper who was killed in 2000, after being struck on the shoulder of I-90 in Winona while making a traffic stop. The law states:

"When traveling on a road with two or more lanes, drivers must keep over one full lane away from stopped emergency vehicles with flashing lights activated — ambulance, fire, law enforcement, maintenance, construction vehicles and tow trucks."

Drivers are to reduce speed if unable to safely move over a lane. Fines can exceed $100.