ROANOKE, Va. – The Virginia State Police is taking advantage of the unofficial start of summer to remind motorists to do what’s right when they see lights – move over or slow down.
The Slow Down/Move Over Law is a lifesaving law intended to protect those who help to maintain the safety of the commonwealth’s roads.
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Drivers are required to change to another travel lane when they see public safety professionals or high way workers on the road. When unable to change lanes, drivers should cautiously pass emergency personnel who are stopped on the side of the road. The law also applies to highway maintenance vehicles and tow trucks equipped with flashing amber lights.
From 2006 to 2015, nationwide, 128 law enforcement officers were struck by vehicles while conducting traffic stops, assisting motorists, directing traffic or working at the roadside.
Last year, five Virginia State Police troopers were injured after being involved in crashes in which a motorist failed to move over. Nationwide, 15 officers were struck and killed outside their vehicles.
Since the 2017 Memorial Day holiday weekend falls within this year’s campaign, Virginia State Police troopers will be even more vigilant in their efforts to increase seat belt usage among adults, teenagers and children. The two-week, concentrated educational and enforcement initiative began Monday and runs through June 4. The annual campaign combines high visibility enforcement of seat belt and child safety seat laws with outreach and education.
Of the 761 people killed last year in crashes throughout Virginia, 304 were unrestrained.
Occupant restraint enforcement is a key component of the Operation C.A.R.E., or Combined Accident Reduction Effort, traffic safety initiative that begins 12:01 a.m. on Friday and concludes Monday at midnight.
The state-sponsored, national program encourages law enforcement agencies to increase visibility and traffic enforcement efforts on major travel holidays, such as Memorial Day. The program also means that all available Virginia State Police troopers will be on patrol through the holiday weekend.
The 2016 Memorial Day Operation C.A.R.E. initiative resulted in troopers citing 913 individuals who failed to obey the law and buckle up, as well as issuing 273 citations for child safety seat violations on Virginia’s highways statewide. In addition, state police cited 11,048 speeders and 2,663 reckless drivers. A total of 131 drunken drivers were taken off Virginia’s roadways and arrested by state troopers.
There were 11 traffic fatalities statewide during the five-day period -- May 27, 2016, through May 31, 2016 -- of the 2016 Memorial Day weekend. In 2015, there were 14 traffic deaths and in 2014, Virginia experienced eight fatalities on the state's highways during the holiday weekend.