State Patrol plans emphasis on slow down, move left law

Washington State Patrol (WSP) Troopers will conduct a statewide “Slow Down, Move Left, for Emergency Lights” emphasis from Thursday, Oct. 27 through Saturday, Oct. 29.

The purpose is to bring increased awareness to the “Move Over Law” which requires drivers to move over to the left or slow down on freeways when emergency vehicles are on the right shoulder.

Fifty-one troopers have been injured and 141 patrol vehicles hit in the past five years, according to a WSP media release. WSP had 33 patrol cars hit and 16 troopers injured in 2015 alone.

• 2011 = 10 troopers injured and 24 collisions

• 2012 = 10 troopers injured and 31 collisions

• 2013 = 8 troopers injured and 28 collisions

• 2014 = 7 troopers injured and 25 collisions

• 2015 = 16 troopers injured and 33 collisions

RCW 46.61.212 Approaching Emergency Zones is the “Move Over Law.” It requires that vehicles approaching an emergency zone should proceed with due caution, slow down, and if safe move over or change lanes.

An emergency vehicle includes, police, fire, medical, tow trucks, and vehicles providing roadside assistance that are making use of warning lights.

An Emergency Zone is the adjacent lanes of the roadway two hundred feet before and after.

If there are two lanes going in the same direction, move completely into the left lane.

• The penalty is $214 and it cannot be waived or reduced

• The Washington State Patrol contacted 4,216 drivers for the move over violation in 2015.

The inclement weather season is about to start and this is when we see a rise in the number of patrol cars hit. The Washington State Patrol would like to remind drivers to slow down and move over when they see emergency lights. It’s safe and it’s the law.