Multiple state police agencies are working together this week to enforce “Move Over” laws.
As part of a law enforcement partnership called the 6-State Trooper Project, state police are concentrating on the enforcement of “Move Over” laws from Sunday, July 17 at 12:01 a.m. through Saturday, July 23 at 11:59 p.m.
The project is spearheaded by the Ohio State Highway Patrol (OSHP). Other participating agencies include the Indiana State Police, Kentucky State Police, Michigan State Police, Pennsylvania State Police, and the West Virginia State Police.
“Moving over protects the lives of everyone who works or uses our roadways,” said Colonel Richard S. Fambro, OSHP superintendent. “Moving over isn’t just the law, it’s the right thing to do.”
Ohio law requires all drivers to move to an adjacent lane and/or slow down when approaching a stopped police vehicle, other emergency vehicle (e.g., fire truck), road service vehicle (e.g., tow truck), waste collection vehicle, highway maintenance vehicle or public utility commission vehicle when these vehicles have their warning lights activated.
According to the OSHP, from 2017 through 2021, there were 51 OSHP patrol car crashes that were “move over” related. These crashes resulted in the deaths of two civilians and 41 injuries to officers and civilians. In 2021, there were only eight such crashes, 47% fewer than in 2020.
The 6-State Trooper project is a multi-state law enforcement partnership to promote highway safety, criminal patrol, and intelligence sharing.