More than 150 U.S. law enforcement officers have been killed in the last 10 years after being struck by vehicles along America's highways, according to the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund. To lower that deadly toll, a new coalition of traffic safety and law enforcement groups is launching a nationwide public awareness campaign to protect emergency personnel along our nation's roadsides.
"Move Over, America" is a partnership of the National Safety Commission, the National Sheriffs' Association and the National Association of Police Organizations. The campaign is the first nationally coordinated effort to educate Americans about "Move Over" safety laws and how they help protect the law enforcement officers who risk their lives protecting the public.
According to a national poll sponsored by the National Safety Commission: * 71 percent of Americans have not heard of "Move Over" laws; * 86 percent support enacting "Move Over" laws in all 50 states; and * 90 percent believe traffic stops and roadside emergencies are dangerous for law enforcement and first responders.
Almost all 50 United States have passed "Move Over" laws which require motorists to "Move Over" and change lanes to give safe clearance to law enforcement officers on roadsides. (Only Hawaii, New York, Maryland, and District of Columbia do not yet have Move-Over laws.) If drivers can't change lanes or are driving on a two-lane road, they must slow down at least 20 mph under the posted speed limit. If drivers do not move over or slow down, officers can and do write citations. Citations can range from $50 to $500; Arkansas has the most extreme punishments with citations of up to $500 and as long as 90 days in jail, seven days of community service, and up to 90 days restricted license. Georgia, Tennessee, West Virginia, and South Carolina also can issue citations of up to $500.
"When America's law enforcement officers pull over a motorist, they put their lives at risk. The last thing they need to be worried about is being struck by a bad driver, but that's one of the gravest dangers they face today," said Ken Underwood, president of the National Safety Commission. "Americans must know that they are required by law to move over and keep our state troopers, police officers and sheriff's deputies safe."
A "Move Over, America" television public service announcement can be viewed below, or online at www.MoveOverAmerica.com, as can an interactive state-by-state map listing the laws in all 50 states.
"Too many motorists still do not understand the importance of 'Move Over,' which is the law in Virginia," said Sheriff Charles E. Jett of Stafford County, Va., a member of the Traffic Safety Committee of the National Sheriffs' Association. "Drivers: please help protect the people who protect you, and follow this common-sense law. Slow down or Move Over away from emergency vehicles stopped on the side of the road. The stakes are just too high."
Most "Move Over" laws require drivers to move over or slow down for emergency vehicles with their lights flashing. This includes police cruisers, Sheriff's or Highway Patrol vehicles, fire trucks, and ambulances.
"Our nation's law enforcement professionals put their lives on the line to protect our citizens," said Bill Johnson, executive director of the National Association of Police Organizations. "Slowing down and changing lanes to give our first responders the space they need to stay safe is the least we can do in return. It's what we must do. Move Over, America. It's the law."
Creative Commons image credits: police cars by gracey and
click at morguefile.com
and Conner395 at flickr.com
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