MISSOURI STATE HIGHWAY PATROL
a division of the
DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC SAFETY

Troop A - 504 SE Blue Parkway - Lee's Summit, MO 64063


NEWS RELEASE

For further information please contact: Sgt. Collin Stosberg
(816) 622-0800 ext. 3149
A2012-37
August 29, 2012

EMPHASIS: Move Over For Emergency Vehicles And First Responders


To increase public awareness after a recent traffic crash in Clay County, Missouri, the Missouri State Highway Patrol would like to remind the public of what has been typically referred to as the "Move Over" law. As of August 28, 2012, Missouri Section 304.022 RSMo. states, "Upon approaching a stationary emergency vehicle displaying lighted red or red and blue lights, or vehicles owned by the commission and operated by Department of Transportation employees displaying amber or amber and white lights, shall: (1) Proceed with caution and yield the right-of-way, if possible with due regard to safety and traffic conditions, by making a lane change into a lane not adjacent to that of the stationary vehicle, if on a roadway having at least four lanes with not less than two lanes proceeding in the same direction as the approaching vehicle; or (2) Proceed with due caution and reduce the speed of the vehicle, maintaining a safe speed for road conditions, if changing lanes would be unsafe or impossible.” In addition to police, fire, and emergency services vehicles, the statute clearly includes wreckers, tow trucks, or vehicles owned and operated by a public utility or public service corporation as an emergency vehicle when engaged in an emergency service.

You could save someone’s life simply by changing lanes. When you see emergency personnel working along the side of the road, please move over and, as Missouri law indicates, change lanes away from where emergency services personnel are working when traveling on a multi-lane road. When changing lanes isn’t possible, drivers should reduce their speed, maintaining a safe speed for road conditions, and using extreme caution. Operating a motor vehicle requires your utmost attention and care. Please do your part--pay attention, obey the speed limit, and buckle up.

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