Move Over And Slow Down Awareness Month

The Missouri State Highway Patrol would like the public to be aware that Governor Jay Nixon signed a proclamation designating May 2015 as Move Over And Slow Down Awareness Month in Missouri.

In 2002, the Missouri Legislature passed a law aimed at insuring the safety of the men and women who work roadside in emergency services, including state, county, and local law enforcement, fire and rescue workers, ambulance personnel, and tow truck operators. At the time, this legislation—commonly referred to as the “Move Over” law— directed motorists to take one of two courses of action upon approaching a stationary emergency vehicle displaying lighted red or red and blue lights. Motorists must 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. If it is not possible to change lanes, motorists must proceed with due caution and reduce the speed of their vehicle, maintaining a safe speed for traffic conditions.

Nine members of the Missouri State Highway Patrol have been killed in the line of duty and several others seriously injured after being struck by vehicles in the performance of their duties. Four of those line of duty deaths occurred after the Move Over law passed. Emergency personnel working on the side of the road remain in danger of death and serious injury from being struck by a vehicle.

In 2012, the Missouri Legislature expanded the Move Over law. The law was amended to include vehicles owned by the State Highways and Transportation Commission and operated by Missouri Department of Transportation employees. Thus, drivers of motor vehicles approaching stationary MoDOT vehicles displaying amber or amber and white lights “shall proceed with caution by making a lane change away from the stationary vehicle, if possible.” The act further modified the definition of “emergency vehicle” to include any vehicle owned by the commission and operated by a Department of Transportation employee that is marked as an emergency response or motorist assistance vehicle (Section 304.022 RSMo.).

“Missouri’s Move Over law is designed to protect the people who are serving and protecting all motorists,” said Colonel J. Bret Johnson, superintendent of the Missouri State Highway Patrol. “May is Move Over And Slow Down Awareness Month. Every day our safety is in the hands of each motorist on the road. Please pay attention when you drive. Recognize that flashing lights of any color warrant careful reaction from you, the driver.”

Move Over And Slow Down Awareness Month