The Wahkiakum County Eagle - Established as The Skamokawa Eagle in 1891

Washington State Patrol (WSP) troopers will conduct a statewide “Slow Down, Move Over” emphasis from October 18-20. The purpose is to help both troopers and citizens get home safe by bringing awareness to the “Move Over Law.”

In the last two years, 62 patrol cars have been hit and 24 troopers injured. That’s an average of one trooper injured every month.

RCW 46.61.212 - Approaching Emergency Zones is the “Move Over Law.” It requires that vehicles approaching an emergency zone should proceed with due caution, slow down, and if safe move over, or changes lanes.

An emergency vehicle includes police, fire, medical, tow trucks, and vehicles providing roadside assistance that are making use of warning lights.

An Emergency Zone is the adjacent lane of the roadway, and includes two hundred feet before and after the emergency vehicle.

If there are two lanes going in the same direction, move completely into the left lane.

The penalty is $214 and cannot be waived or reduced.

The Washington State Patrol contacted 4,175 drivers for the move over violation in 2016.

The inclement weather season is about to start and is when there is a rise in the number of patrol cars hit. The Washington State Patrol would like to remind drivers to slow down and move over when they see emergency lights. It’s safe and it’s the law.