Missourians Warned to Move
Over or Face the Consequences
JEFFERSON CITY, November 1, 2005-Mark James, Director
of the Missouri Department of Public Safety, announced today that
Missouri State Highway Patrol Troopers will be conducting move over
enforcement operations throughout the state.
Troop I in Rolla has already conducted two move over
enforcement operations. The typical protocol during these details
is to send two or more cars out and after one patrol car makes a legitimate
enforcement stop, the other cars watch for vehicles who do not slow
down or change lanes provided it is safe.
“Enough is enough,” James said. “We
have had too many fallen officers this year, two of whom died from
careless inattention on the part of Missouri drivers. In order to
make Missourians more aware of the move over law we plan on educating
the public and enforcing this vital law.”
On Oct. 28, troopers patrolling Phelps County made 30
arrests and issued 24 warnings during a move over enforcement operation.
Of the 30 citations that were issued, seven were issued because drivers
failed to move over or slow down for a stopped patrol car that had
activated emergency lights. In addition to these violations, troopers
also ticketed 14 individuals for speeding, four for not wearing a
seat belt and seven for various other non-moving traffic violations.
Statistics support the need for traffic laws dealing
with emergency vehicles. In 2004, there were three fatal accidents,
three fatalities and 221 total injuries in highway incidents involving
emergency vehicles. Just this year, 16 Highway Patrol cars have been
hit on the shoulder while pulling a motorist over for a violation.
Since 2002, four Highway Patrolmen have been killed
during traffic stops or during accident investigations. Troopers John
A. (Jay) Sampietro and Donald K. (Kevin) Floyd were killed in 2005,
Trooper Michael L. Newton was killed in 2003, and Trooper Kelly L.
Poynter was killed in 2002.
Colonel Roger D. Stottlemyre, Superintendent of the
Highway Patrol, said the four troopers would be alive today if drivers
would have paid more attention.
“Saying I am sorry will never bring these officers
back,” Stottlemyre said. “They died because somebody did
not take the job of driving a vehicle seriously. Please, when you
see emergency personnel or construction workers on our highways, slow
down and move over. Our lives are on your shoulders.”
Public safety officials are unsure whether drivers know
about the move over and yield to emergency vehicles laws in Missouri,
but they want citizens to be aware: It is a class B misdemeanor to
fail to yield the right-of-way to an approaching emergency vehicle,
giving an audible or visual signal, or to not slow down and change
lanes if possible for a stationary emergency vehicle that is giving
an audible or visual signal.
Troopers can watch for citizens breaking these laws,
but it is much harder for them to ticket a driver for inattention.
Sadly, it is many times only after an accident is caused that drivers
will be held accountable. Over 20,000 traffic accidents were caused
by inattention on the part of drivers in Missouri in 2004. Even more
shocking is the fact that the majority of fatal, injury and total
accidents occurred during ideal weather conditions and during daylight
hours. This means drivers simply are not paying attention.
For more information on the Move Over enforcement operations,
please contact Captain Chris Ricks, Missouri State Highway Patrol
at (573) 526-6115.