The Washington State Patrol has planned a statewide “Slow Down, Move Over” emphasis patrol to focus on trooper safety during traffic stops and emergency responses.
The special patrol is scheduled to take place Friday through Sunday.
According to the state patrol, in the past three years, 86 patrol cars were hit by passing vehicles resulting in 32 trooper injuries.
The “Move Over Law” requires drivers to slow down when passing an emergency or work zone and move the the next lane over, if possible.
Emergency or work zones include emergency vehicles with lights on, a tow truck with lights on, vehicles on the side of the road using warning lights, or a stationary or slow-moving highway work or solid waste vehicle.
The penalty for violating the law is a $214 fine. The state patrol fined 3,836 drivers in 2017 for the violation.
