CBS 5 - KPHO Motorists urged to heed 'Move Over' law

Motorists urged to heed 'Move Over' law

Motorists are being urged to heed Arizona's "Move Over" law in the wake of Tuesday's fatality on Loop 202.

AAA Arizona issued a news release following the death of a stranded motorist who was struck and killed on the freeway near McClintock Drive.

The "Move Over" law, enacted last summer, requires drivers who approach a stationary vehicle displaying alternately flashing lights alongside a freeway or highway, including stranded motorists and emergency roadside personnel, to do either of the following:

• Perform a lane change to a non-adjacent lane from the stationary vehicle if safe to do so when traveling on a four-lane highway with at least two lanes proceeding in the same direction as the stationary vehicle.
• If changing lanes is impossible or unsafe, reduce vehicle speed and proceed with caution, maintaining a safe speed for road conditions.

Prior to the adoption of the previous "Move Over" law, eight Department of Public Safety officers lost their lives while performing their roadside duties. However, since adopting the law in 2005, no DPS patrol officer has been killed while aiding the public on the side of the road, according to the agency.

In August 2008, tow truck driver Jesse Gault and the motorist he was assisting were killed on State Route 202, when a heavy-equipment truck veered into them. In addition, in 2006, two tow truck drivers lost their lives on Arizona roadways while performing their roadside assistance duties.

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