KHP 2022-07 (2): KHP and State Police Agencies from NHTSA Region 7 Spread Awareness
NEWS RELEASE – May 5, 2022 #2022-07
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT: Lieutenant Candice Breshears, Public Information Officer, (785) 296-6800
KHP and State Police Agencies from NHTSA Region 7 Spread Awareness:
“Move Over” to Protect Law Enforcement
Every day, thousands of law enforcement officers and other first responders take to the streets to help keep Americans safe. And every day, they put their lives at risk to do so. One of the most dangerous parts of a first responder’s job is stepping out on the side of the road, whether it is for a traffic stop, to assist a motorist, or to investigate a crash. Since 2017, there have been 149 law enforcement officers alone killed in traffic-related incidents.
In an effort to protect law enforcement and first responders, every State has “Move Over” laws, requiring drivers to slow down and, if safe to do so, move over when approaching stopped emergency vehicles with emergency lights activated. The U.S. Department of Transportation’s National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) is working with local highway safety partners and law enforcement to help get the word out to every motorist: Move Over. It’s the Law.
Over Mother’s Day Weekend, the Kansas Highway Patrol, Nebraska State Patrol, Arkansas State Police, Iowa State Patrol, and Missouri State Highway Patrol will join forces to spread awareness of the “Move Over” Laws across NHTSA Region 7. An increase of Troopers across the region will be on the roadways to not only keep the highways safe, but each other.
The “Move Over” law isn’t new: It was first introduced in South Carolina in 1996. In 2012, Hawaii was the final State to enact such a law. The law protects all first responders, including law enforcement, firefighters, emergency medical technicians, paramedics, safety service patrols, and towing vehicles. Unfortunately, law enforcement officers and other first responders are still killed every year by drivers who fail to move over.
“It’s such an important, and easy thing to do to keep our first responders safe,” said Colonel Herman T. Jones, Superintendent of the Kansas Highway Patrol. “Only three feet separates emergency personnel from traffic moving at highway speeds – often 75+ miles-per-hour. Moving over helps ensure that everyone makes it home to their loved ones safe and sound.” By following the Move Over law, we protect those who protect us.
NHTSA has used a similar high-visibility approach in other traffic safety campaigns, such as Click It or Ticket, to increase seat belt use. These tactics have proven helpful in getting the word out about existing laws and the reasons they are important.
Colonel Jones stressed the meaning behind the national awareness campaign. “Many drivers seem to think that moving over is just an optional courtesy when they see law enforcement or emergency vehicles pulled over on the side of the road,” he said. “It’s not optional. Move Over. It’s the Law.”
The Kansas Move Over law was signed into effect in May of 2000 and is known to many as the “Goodheart Law.” It’s named after Master Trooper Dean Goodheart who served with the Kansas Highway Patrol from 1972 until his death in 1995. On September 6, 1995, Master Trooper Dean Goodheart was struck and killed in the line of duty while conducting a walk-around safety inspection of a semi-truck on westbound Interstate 70 near Colby, Kansas. The “Goodheart Law” was amended in 2006 to incorporate all emergency personnel, and road crews when flashing lights are visible.
Emergency personnel can only do so much to keep themselves safe when they pull over on the side of the road. The rest of the responsibility falls on other motorists. Remember, next time you see those flashing lights on the side of the road, slow down and, if safe to do so, Move Over. It’s the Law.
For more information about the Move Over. It’s the Law. campaign, visit www.trafficsafetymarketing.gov/get-materials/first-responder-safety/move-over.
