DRIVERS have been warned that they could face $150 fines or even worse if they fall foul of a well-established “Move Over” law.
Motorists ignoring the regulations have been responsible for several crashes, opening them up to harsh penalties.
Drivers have been reminded of their obligations around crash sites after eight emergency vehicles were struck in one state[/caption]
The stern reminder was issued by the Colorado DOT after one of its highway patrol vehicles was involved in a collision while responding to an on-road incident.
It’s not the first time that emergency workers in the state have been put at risk by drivers disregarding strict procedures around how to act when passing a crash.
According to KKTV, eight state trooper vehicles have been struck by non-compliant cars this year alone.
The latest collision came on Monday night as DOT workers attended the site of a fatal accident on I-25.
State troopers say that a Ford F-150 flipped over after smashing into another vehicle, with the driver sadly not making it out alive.
But as first responders worked on the scene, a Honda Pilot SUV rear-ended a DOT vehicle parked there.
Same Cole, a Traffic Safety Manager at the department, said: “A lot of these crashes that we see on the roads are what is are known as secondary crashes where somebody crashes into a crash scene because they are not paying attention or driving too fast.”
He urged drivers to take note of Colorado’s so-called “Move Over” law, which instructs them on what to do in such a scenario.
When a crash occurs, all other road users are required to pull into the lane furthest away from where the affected cars are stopped on the roadway.
Drivers should also yield to emergency vehicles wherever possible and make every effort not to impede their progress to the scene.
However, while trying not to obstruct officials, the law does also stipulate that all vehicles should stick to no more than 20mph below the states speed limit of the road until they are clear of the crash.
And you should obviously make sure to maintain your concentration and stay alert to your surroundings, including not being distracted by the scene.
Failure to comply with the law could result in a fine of up to $150.
You can also receive a misdemeanour charge, though this is at the discretion of law enforcement.
However, if you impede or collide with an emergency vehicle, it could be even worse as you could be hit with insurance points or even jail time if you cause an injury or death.
Colorado State Patrol Public Information Officer Gabriel Moltrer said: “You could be putting yourself and your family or whoever you have in your vehicle in dangerous situations.
“Not only that, but you’re also putting whoever may be on the side of the road in a dangerous situation as well.
“You could cause somebody serious injury and possibly even death.”
