OLYMPIA — The State Patrol will conduct a statewide “Slow Down, Move Over” emphasis patrol today through Friday to bring awareness to a law that directs drivers to slow and, if possible, change lanes when approaching emergency zones.
An emergency vehicle includes police, fire, medical, tow trucks and vehicles providing roadside assistance that are making use of warning lights.
An emergency zone is the adjacent lane of the roadway, and includes two hundred feet before and after the emergency vehicle.
In the past two years, 62 patrol cars have been hit and 24 troopers injured. That’s an average of one trooper injured every month.
The state’s RCW 46.61.212 – Approaching Emergency Zones is the “Move Over Law.” It requires that vehicles approaching an emergency zone should proceed with caution, slow down and if safe move over or changes lanes.
If there are two lanes going in the same direction, move completely into the left lane.
The penalty is $214 and cannot be waived or reduced.
The State Patrol contacted 4,175 drivers for the move over violation in 2016.
A rise in the number of patrol cars hit is often seen in inclement weather, the State Patrol said.
