1-2-16 dodge county sheriff’s office law of the month

This month the Dodge County Sheriff’s Office would like to remind people of the “Move Over Law”.  Recently a firefighter in a nearby county was struck and killed by a vehicle as he was assisting at a crash.  It is dangerous for all first responders and we ask all motorists to obey this law.  Violating this law carries a $263.50 and 3 demerit points.  Wisconsin State Statute 346.072 (1m) states:  346.072(1m)If an emergency or roadside service vehicle is parked or standing on or within 12 feet of a roadway, the operator of a motor vehicle approaching the emergency or roadside service vehicle shall proceed with due regard for all other traffic and shall do either of the following:  346.072(1m)(a)(a) Move the motor vehicle into a lane that is not the lane nearest the parked or standing emergency or roadside service vehicle and continue traveling in that lane until safely clear of the emergency or roadside service vehicle. This paragraph applies only if the roadway has at least two lanes for traffic proceeding in the direction of the approaching motor vehicle and if the approaching motor vehicle may change lanes safely and without interfering with any vehicular traffic.  346.072(1m)(b)(b) Slow the motor vehicle, maintaining a safe speed for traffic conditions, and operate the motor vehicle at a reduced speed until completely past the emergency or roadside service vehicle. This paragraph applies only if the roadway has only one lane for traffic proceeding in the direction of the approaching motor vehicle or if the approaching motor vehicle may not change lanes safely and without interfering with any vehicular traffic.  In this statute emergency or roadside service vehicle is described as an emergency vehicle, tow truck with flashing red lamps, highway construction or maintenance vehicles displaying lights, public utility vehicles, telecommunications carrier vehicles displaying one or more flashing amber lights.   Captain Trace Frost of the Dodge County Sheriff’s Office said, “We ask that all motorists follow the move over law to make the roads safer for all users”.