Posted on Mar 25, 2010

This month the Wisconsin Department of Transportation is highlighting their "Move Over Law".  This law was enacted to provide a safety zone for stopped emergency vehicles. 

Law enforcement officers, emergency responders and road maintenance workers are at risk each time they stop their vehicles near the road.  Drivers who fail to switch lanes or slow down to create a safety zone for a squad car, ambulance, fire truck, tow truck or highway maintenance vehicle can be ticketed.  Fines for violating the Move Over Law will cost you $263 and will add three demerit points to your license.

Aside from the expense and hassle of a ticket the bigger issue is the injuries and deaths that accidents with roadside workers and emergency crews cause.  According to Wisconsin State Patrol Superintendent David Collins, "Last year 13 State Patrol vehicles were hit or sideswiped while they were legally parked, and three officers were injured.  There were many more near collisions."

To help drivers remember the importance of the Move Over Law signs posted on highways near main entry points to Wisconsin.  The signs read, "STATE LAW.  MOVE OVER OR SLOW DOWN FOR STOPPED EMERGENCY VEHICLES."        

The staff and attorneys at Hupy and Abraham hope that highlighting the law will prevent needless injuries and deaths on Wisconsin's highways.