Statewide ‘Slow Down, Move Over' emphasis patrols begin Friday

Troopers with the Washington State Patrol will conduct a statewide "Slow Down, Move Over" emphasis patrol from Friday to Sunday.

Officials said the patrol is designed to help troopers, roadway workers emergency responders stay safe and to bring awareness to the state's "Move Over Law."

According to the State Patrol, the law "requires that vehicles approaching an emergency or work zone should proceed with due caution, and if safe move over, or change lanes. If changing lanes is not possible, drivers should reduce their speed to 10 miles under the posted speed limit."

Violators of the "Move Over Law" will receive a $214 citation that cannot be waived or reduced.

The Washington State Patrol said it contacted 4,764 drivers for "move over" violations in 2018.

Troopers said emergency or work zone vehicles include:

- Authorized emergency vehicles using audible or visual signs. 
- Tow trucks making use of visual red lights. 
- Vehicles providing roadside assistance using warning lights such as WSDOT Incident Response Trucks. 
- Police vehicles displaying a flashing, blinking, or alternating emergency light. 
- Stationary or slow-moving highway construction or maintenance vehicles, solid waste vehicle, or utility service vehicle making use or flashing of warning lights.

Troopers said inattentive driving, following too closely and speeding are the top three causes of work zone crashes on state roads.

Since 2016, 104 patrol cars have been hit on the side of the road – leaving 27 troopers injured, according to the State Patrol.

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