March 20, 2023
King County: This week the Washington State Patrol (WSP) will be conducting an emphasis to stress the importance of adhering to the Move Over or Slow Down law that is in place in our state.
This will be taking place March 21 thru 24 and is a law put in place to protect law enforcement, fire personnel and the towing industry. Simply put the law requires a driver to move over one lane or slow by 10 miles per hour when approaching an emergency vehicle with lights activated on the roadway or shoulder. In 2022 the WSP had 113 patrol cars struck while they were on a stop or at a collision scene with several troopers sustaining injuries that kept them off the job as they recovered.
This law is of the utmost importance for those that are out on the roadways every day investigating collisions, helping disabled vehicles and clearing the roadways to maintain safe travel. The patrol vehicle below was from last July on SR 167. The sergeant’s vehicle was struck while he was on a traffic stop.
MEDIA AVAILABILITY
The Washington State Patrol, Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) and the Towing and Recovery Association of Washington (TRAW) will participate in a kick-off event.
Date: March 21, 2023
Time: 10:30am
Location: WSDOT Corson Facility
6431 Corson Ave South
Seattle, WA 98108
Please email Trooper Rick Johnson at rick.johnson@wsp.wa.gov if you plan on attending this event.
###