"Move Over Law" now in effect across Alaska

Back in April, Trooper Dave Herrell stopped a truck for an equipment violation. During the stop, while Herrell and the driver were seated in the patrol car, they were struck by a 1998 Chevy Blazer.

The collision did heavy damage to the patrol car and caused it to roll forward and hit the truck, causing more damage. The driver who hit the patrol car was arrested for DUI and third degree assault and taken to Mat-Su Pre-Trial. After the crash, both Herrell and a female passenger in the truck were transported to Valley Hospital for injuries.

If you're driving on a road with two or more lanes going your direction and you see an emergency vehicle pulled off to the right side of the road with its emergency lights on, you are now required by law to merge into the other lane.

On Sept. 2, House Bill 438, known as the "Move Over Law" went in effect. The bill was sponsored in the House by Rep. Jim Holm, R-Fairbanks, according to a press release from Alaska State Troopers.

The law further requires drivers to slow down to a reasonable and prudent speed if there is only one lane or if it is unsafe to pull into the left lane.

During discussion about the bill, experts testified that from 1998 to 2001 there were 386 emergency response vehicles involved in collisions in Alaska. Of those, 46 involved a parked emergency response vehicle.

According to a study by the National Memorial Officers' Fund, from 1997 to 2002, 93 law enforcement officers were struck and killed by motorists while working along the side of a road.

In Washington state, over a seven-year period there were more than 3,000 shoulder collisions that resulted in 40 deaths. Thirty other states have enacted similar legislation.

"These people fight for our lives every day," said Matthew Rudig, staff to Holm. "I believe this legislation is an opportunity for the Legislature to fight for theirs."

If a driver does not comply with the law and someone gets hurt, that driver could be charged with a class A misdemeanor. Even if no one is hurt, a driver can be cited and must appear before a judge.

Contact John Davidson at john.davidson@frontiersman.com.