Historic snowfall totals over the past several days have narrowed roadways across the state, creating special challenges for emergency responders. AAA is cautioning all motorists to pay special attention to the state’s Move Over Law, which requires drivers to reduce their speed and move to an adjacent lane whenever they see the flashing lights of emergency vehicles along the side of the road. The law applies to police, fire and EMT vehicles, as well as tow trucks and highway maintenance equipment.
The Move Over law was passed by the General Assembly in 2008, mirroring a trend in state legislatures across the country in response to an increase in fatalities and serious injuries to first responders and others attending to vehicles at the roadside. “There continues to be far too many tragic stories of law enforcement officers, highway maintenance workers and tow truck operators injured or killed assisting motorists,” said Lloyd Albert, senior vice president for public affairs at AAA Northeast. “The simple act of slowing down and moving over can prevent these senseless tragedies and make the roads safer for everyone,” he added.
On average in the United States, two emergency responders are struck daily while working along the roadway. These incidents cause property damage, injuries and in some cases fatalities. According to FBI statistics, law enforcement officers being struck and killed assisting others at the roadside is a major cause of law enforcement deaths in the U.S. Most of these preventable crashes can be averted by complying with the letter of the Move Over law.
The law is enforceable throughout the year, but with snowbanks at their highest level in years, and roads narrowed by the recent blizzard, adherence to Rhode Island’s move over statute is more important now than ever. Safety advocates across the state urge care, vigilance, and compliance with the law in consideration of those working to keep our roadways safe.