ISP in 6-State Trooper Project to target violations of Move Over law starting this weekend

Crash involving ISP patrol vehicle. Photo provided by Indiana State Police.

Starting this weekend, troopers from the Indiana State Police Department, along with Troopers from Ohio, West Virginia, Kentucky, Michigan and Pennsylvania, will be conducting state-wide patrols targeting violations of the “Move Over” law. This effort begins this Sunday July 22. The project, which was initially started by the Ohio Highway Patrol, encompasses the five states that border Ohio.

“We will be conducting extra patrols in efforts to target drivers who are violating Indiana’s Move Over law," states ISP Jasper Post Commander Lieutenant Jason Allen. “Our aim is to educate motorists about Indiana’s Move Over law and to ensure a safe working space for all emergency vehicles.”

Emergency vehicles consist of police cars, ambulances, fire trucks, rescue equipment, highway maintenance, utility service vehicles and tow trucks.

Indiana statute 9-21-8-35(b) and (c) states:

(b) Upon approaching a stationary authorized emergency vehicle, when the authorized emergency vehicle is giving a signal by displaying alternately flashing red, red and white, or red and blue lights, a person who drives an approaching vehicle shall:

(1) proceeding with due caution, yield the right-of-way by making a lane change into a lane not adjacent to that of the authorized emergency vehicle, if possible with due regard to safety and traffic conditions, if on a highway having at least four (4) lanes with not less than two (2) lanes proceeding in the same direction as the approaching vehicle; or

(2) proceeding with due caution, reduce the speed of the vehicle to a speed at least ten (10) miles per hour less than the posted speed limit, maintaining a safe speed for road conditions, if changing lanes would be impossible or unsafe.

A person who violates this subsection commits a Class A infraction.

(c) Upon approaching a stationary recovery vehicle, a stationary utility service vehicle (as defined in IC 8-1-8.3-5), a stationary solid waste hauler, a stationary road, street, or highway maintenance vehicle, or a stationary survey or construction vehicle, when the vehicle is giving a signal by displaying alternately flashing amber lights, a person who drives an approaching vehicle shall:

(1) proceeding with due caution, yield the right-of-way by making a lane change into a lane not adjacent to that of the recovery vehicle, utility service vehicle, solid waste hauler, or road, street, or highway maintenance vehicle, if possible with due regard to safety and traffic conditions, if on a highway having at least four (4) lanes with not less than two (2) lanes proceeding in the same direction as the approaching vehicle; or

(2) proceeding with due caution, reduce the speed of the vehicle to a speed at least ten (10) miles per hour less than the posted speed limit, maintaining a safe speed for road conditions, if changing lanes would be impossible or unsafe.

A person who violates this subsection commits a Class B infraction.

The project, which runs from July 22 through July 28, will encompass all roadways in the State of Indiana.