MHP reminds drivers to move over for emergency vehicles

TUPELO, Miss. (WCBI) – The Mississippi Highway Patrol wants to remind drivers to move over when troopers, or any emergency service crews, are on the side of the road.

A law known as the “Move Over Law” requires drivers to move at least one lane away when approaching emergency vehicles parked on the roadside with lights flashing.

If drivers can’t move over, they must slow down at least 20 miles an hour below the posted speed limit, or risk getting a ticket.

Sergeant Marvin Baird works out of Troop E and said many drivers are distracted because of cell phones.

“People are distracted, they are looking down at phones, texting driving, not paying attention to what’s taking place, people’s lives are at stake, we want to go home, we plan on going home just like you do after you get off work, last year, in our area, in the Batesville area, there was a wrecker service driver killed as a result of a distracted driver while clearing a wreck,” said Sgt. Baird.

The Move Over Law was passed in 2007, but MHP recently unveiled a public service campaign reminding motorists of the law.