It’s been a challenging winter for motorists across the state and with more winter weather likely, the Wisconsin State Patrol is asking drivers to slow down when travel conditions deteriorate, stay alert and be prepared to move over for stopped emergency responders.
“When roads get slippery, drivers need to slow down, scan the road ahead carefully, and be ready to shift over a lane if possible when approaching stopped emergency vehicles,” said Captain Adrian Logan, Commander of the State Patrol’s North Central Region Post, in a news release.
The state’s Move Over law (346.072) requires drivers to move out of the lane closest to stopped law enforcement vehicles, ambulances, fire trucks, tow trucks, utility or highway maintenance vehicles that have their warning lights activated. If unable to move over, vehicle operators must slow down. Violations can result in a citation of $263.
“Tow truck operators, law enforcement and other emergency responders face significant risks when they’re stopped along roadways to assist motorists,” Logan said. “We all want to get home safely, so we’re asking drivers to be alert, move over as the law requires and provide a safety zone for roadside workers.”
In 2017 and 2018, there were 1,419 traffic convictions in Wisconsin for violating the Move Over law.
