Move Over It's the Law

A fatal accident in Ruston Wednesday highlights a serious danger with being stopped on the side of the road. In fact, theres actually a law that requires drivers to move over when an emergency vehicle is pulled over. But should the same courtesy be extended to drivers stranded on the side of the road. And if it were, would people even follow it? Forty-three states, including Louisiana and Arkansas, have passed "move over" laws, which require motorists to and change lanes to give safe clearance to law enforcement officers on roadsides. Now officers are trying to get the word out about the law to keep stranded motorists from becoming victims. Trooper Mark Dennis of the Louisiana State Police has spent a lot of time on the highways and has had too many close calls to mention. “Ive had some that came so close that they genuinely scared me and my own personal security." The law says when an emergency vehicle is parked on or near the highway with its overhead lights on, the driver of every other vehicle is supposed to slow down and merge into the lane farthest away. Trooper Dennis says drivers should do the same for any car pulled off on the side of the road. “Common sense would dictate move to the lane as far away from that vehicle as possible. Provide a little safety area for them." Trooper Dennis parked his car on the side of Interstate 20 with his lights flashing for about ten minutes. In that time hundreds of cars passed by, and only about three drivers actually moved over and got out of the way. “In some cases, you have traffic that prevents you from moving over like this black truck cant move. Because of the other traffic he cant. The truck that is coming up behind him could easily move over but they dont," said Dennis. He says some drivers just dont use common sense. So remember the white line on the side of the road is just a marker. Its not a barrier that can protect you. If youre broken down on the side of the road, get over as far as possible and put your hazard lights on. And drivers passing by should slow down and move over. Antonio Green of Bastrop says it only makes sense. “If something is wrong with me or something is wrong with my car, I would want people to respect me and not get themselves hurt or get me even hurt." Dennis says this law is enforceable, so drivers could be ticketed for not moving over. But the main idea is to ensure officers safety and the safety of the general public. (Copyright 2008, NBC 10/Fox 14 News, Written by Casey Ferrand)