MOVE OVER LAW: Be careful out there!
States with Move Over Laws
154 officers have been killed after being struck by a vehicle from 1999 to 2008 according to the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund. Officers have many stories of “close calls” where a vehicle almost hit their vehicle on the side of the road. The Arizona Police Association was instrumental in making sure a law was passing that instructs Arizona drivers to move over a lane over or slow down when noticing a patrol car on the side of the road. Arizona, like the majority of other states, recognize that citizens want to protect the officers that protect them, and keep them out of danger.
To lower that deadly toll, a new coalition of traffic safety and law enforcement groups have launched a nationwide public awareness campaign to protect emergency personnel along our nation’s roadsides. However, the danger is still relevant according to a recent poll that shows:
- 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.
(National poll by Mason Dixon Polling & Research, sponsored by the National Safety Commission)
Remind your loved ones and citizens you encounter about the Move Over Law. GLEA wants to make sure that you stay safe!
