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New law requires motorists to 'move over'

KBCI-TV, Boise
For two consecutive years, the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund has studied statistics that show officers are just as or more likely to be killed in traffic accidents as gunfire.

A new law takes effect in Idaho this weekend that will require the public to be more vigilant when they're passing officers and emergency responders on the highway.

Some state lawmakers who opposed this measure say they're concerned the law isn't practical and cannot be enforced on many roads in Idaho, but FBI statistics show traffic accidents are the number one killer of police officers in the line of duty nationwide.

After several failed attempts to pass the bill, state troopers say the new "Move Over Law" is overdue.

"Frankly, I"m more worried about getting run over than I am about getting shot," said ISP Cpl. Shawn Klitch, who pulls over 15 cars every day. "I've had a lot of close calls. Some I didn't even know about until I went back and reviewed my video system later."

The new law requires drivers to slow down or change lanes on the highway once they see emergency lights on the shoulder, then decrease their speed as they drive by the scene.

ISP says those who are caught violating this new law can be charged with an infraction and a $62 fine.

Published 6-30-06