‘Move Over' law violations put law enforcement at risk
The law requires drivers to move at least one lane over when approaching emergency vehicles with flashing lights. The Castle Rock Police Department tells FOX31 a marked patrol car with emergency lights running was totaled when another driver crashed into its back end on Tuesday, causing the car to catch fire.
Castle Rock police vehicle totaled in crash on I-25
The officer was standing nearby but was not injured.Trooper Sherri Mendez of the Colorado State Patrol told FOX31 she has almost been struck by drivers not abiding by the law while doing her job.
'It just sounds so fast and loud, and you can feel sometimes the car shake,' she said.
Mendez says following the Move Over Law is crucial to saving lives on the road and drivers should slow down and move over when they see any vehicle on the side of the road with flashing lights.
'We're doing our job and we expect other people to do their job and be responsible and move over for us,' she said.
The Problem Solvers found that at least three accidents per month occurred between August and November of 2024 as a result of drivers violating the Move Over Law, including a fatal accident in Golden that killed 33-year-old police officer Evan Dunn, who had served in the Army as an aviation officer and Blackhawk pilot.
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Another officer was seriously injured. The driver in that case was arrested for vehicular homicide, driving under the influence and violating the 'Move Over' Law.
Mendez says the State Patrol motto is 'no one's final resting place should be on the roadway' and encourages drivers to consider the harm that can come from failing to consider the well-being of others by following the law.
'Think of everybody on the shoulder of the road as their family members — us included,' she said.
The Colorado State Patrol is still investigating the crash in Castle Rock.
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