For SPN

Sheriff’s Office to Concentrate on Safety Violations

PORTAGE COUNTY — Sheriff Mike Lukas announced today that the Portage County Sheriff’s Office will be intensifying its enforcement of the State’s “Move Over” law over this quasi-holiday weekend. Beginning on Friday, deputies will be on the lookout for motorists who fail to move over or slow down for emergency and other vehicles working on the side of the highway.

“It’s a safety issue for all of our first responders, maintenance, and service crews working out on the busy roads,” said Lukas. “People have to understand just how dangerous it is working that close to moving traffic.”

State law requires drivers to move to shift lanes or slowdown in order to provide extra room for a squad car, ambulance, fire truck, tow truck, utility vehicle, or highway maintenance vehicle that is stopped on the side of a road with its warning lights flashing.

Drivers have two options when approaching these workers:

-First, if the road has more than one directional lane, like the Interstate, and you can switch lanes safely, you must move over to vacate the lane closest to the law enforcement or other vehicle with its lights flashing.
-Second, if the road has a single directional lane or you can’t safely move over, you must reduce your speed.

According to the Federal Highway Administration, more than 10 law enforcement officers, four fire and rescue personnel, and as many as 60 towing and recovery professionals are killed on our Nation’s highways in roadside struck-by incidents.

A citation for improperly passing a stopped emergency or service vehicle is $263.50 and three demerit points on your driver’s license.

“More importantly,” Sheriff Lukas added, “It unnecessarily endangers our first responders.”

Enhanced enforcement efforts are expected to extend through Sunday.