Rules of the Road: Idaho's Move Over Law

**Media interested in an interview Thursday please call or email the BPD Media line.

As we all prepare for winter weather driving, BPD wants to remind drivers to move over for emergency workers on the side of the road.  First responders face many dangers as they respond to crashes and work to keep the public safe, other drivers shouldn’t be one of them.  Icy roads increase the potential for accidents and Idaho’s Move Over Law was implemented in 2006 to protect law enforcement, emergency responders and other first responders.  The law requires motorist to either move over a lane or slow down below the speed limit when approaching a stationary police or emergency services vehicle.  Violators risk a $90 citation.

“Anyone who works alongside our highways knows the terrible feeling of having a vehicle fly by you so fast you can feel the wind from their vehicle,” said Boise Police Sgt. Erik Tiner. “Our officers have witnessed a number of close calls where officers were almost clipped by passing vehicles. When other drivers slow down and move over, it gives us and other emergency responders safe room to work.”

WHAT: BPD joins area law enforcement and first responders to remind drivers to slow down and move over when approaching a vehicle with emergency lights flashing

WHO: Boise Police Sgt. Erik Tiner will be available for interviews

WHERE: City Hall West, 333 N. Mark Stall Pl.

WHEN: December 7th, 2017 at 11:00 am

According to the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund, in 2016 across the country fifteen officers were struck and killed outside their vehicles, a 50 percent increase from 2015 when 10 officers were struck and killed.  In 2013 the driver of a pick-up crashed into the rear of a Boise Police patrol car on I-84. The patrol car was stopped with its emergency lights flashing when the crash occurred in the westbound lanes just west of the flying wye interchange. Fortunately, no one was injured.

“As officers, we respond to a lot of crashes resulting from distracted driving. That makes us more nervous than ever when we see fellow officers and others working on the side of the road,” said Sgt. Erik Tiner. “That’s why we want to take this opportunity to remind drivers that when you don’t move over, you’re not just risking a citation, you’re also risking the lives of first responders, road crews and those we are trying to help.”

The Boise Police Department has partnered with several local agencies including the Boise Fire Department, Ada County Paramedics, Ada County Sheriff’s Office, Garden City Police Department and Meridian Police Department to put out this message and PSA campaign.  We would like to thank the Idaho Transportation Department’s Office of Highway Safety for their assistance with the message and the Public Service Announcement that has being airing on TV and Radio.

TITLE 49

MOTOR VEHICLES

CHAPTER 6

RULES OF THE ROAD

49-624.  DRIVER DUTY UPON APPROACHING A STATIONARY POLICE VEHICLE OR AN AUTHORIZED EMERGENCY VEHICLE DISPLAYING FLASHING LIGHTS. The driver of a motor vehicle, upon approaching a stationary police vehicle displaying flashing lights or an authorized emergency vehicle displaying flashing lights shall:

(1)  If the driver is traveling on a highway with two (2) or more lanes carrying traffic in the same direction, immediately reduce the speed of his vehicle below the posted speed limit, proceed with due caution and, if traveling in a lane adjacent to the stationary police vehicle displaying flashing lights or the authorized emergency vehicle displaying flashing lights, change lanes into a lane that is not adjacent to such vehicle as soon as it is possible to do so in a manner that is reasonable and prudent under the conditions then existing, with regard to actual and potential hazards.

(2)  If the driver is traveling on a highway with one (1) lane for each direction of travel, immediately reduce the speed of his vehicle below the posted speed limit, and maintain a safe speed for the road, weather and traffic conditions until completely past the stationary police vehicle or authorized emergency vehicle.

History:

[49-624, added 2006, ch. 78, sec. 1, p. 237; am. 2007, ch. 113, sec. 1, p. 328; am. 2011, ch. 17, sec. 1, p. 54.]