WisDot and other state law enforcement are trying to better inform the public of our state's "Move Over" law.
The law has been around for a few years, but most motorists are not aware of it. That's according to Steve Olson, with the DOT office of Public Affairs. Specifically, Wisconsin's "Move Over Law" requires drivers to shift lanes or slow down in order to provide a "safety zone" for a squad car, ambulance, fire truck, tow truck or highway maintenance vehicle that is stopped on the side of a road with its warning lights flashing.
"Basically what the motorists have to do is if they're on a divided highway, like the Interstate with multiple lanes, they are required to move over one lane if they can safely to create this safety zone. If they are not able to move over another lane, for example on a two-lane divided highway, they at least have to slow down."
Olson says oncoming traffic speeding by puts too many officials in danger, perhaps causing preventable, senseless deaths.
"It's a fact now that more law enforcement officers lose their lives in the line of duty to traffic crashes than they do to fighting criminals or getting shot or anything like that so it's certainly probably the most dangerous part of their job right now."
Moving over and slowing down is not only common sense, but Olson says it's a good practice for your own protection and the safety of the officers. Need more encouragement? A violation will cost you $249 and three demerit points on your license.