MENASHA, WI (WTAQ) — On Saturday, October 21, the Menasha Police Department and Fox Crossing Police Department will be working together to enforce the “Move Over” law and issuing citations to violators.
Every state has a variation of a “Move Over” law. This law requires drivers to move over and/or slow down when approaching stopped vehicles with flashing lights activated.
Officials say one of the most dangerous parts of an officer’s job is stepping out of their police vehicle and onto the side of the road; whether it is for a traffic stop, to assist a motorist, or to investigate a crash.
“The Winnebago County Sheriff’s Office used to cover our section of Highway jurisdiction on 441 from Racine Rd. to Oneida St. Now because Winnebago County is busier, about six months ago we decided to start covering that,” said Dan Hoernke with the Menasha Police Department. “Our officers are out there more frequently and they’re seeing the dangers of people not moving over.”
Hoernke went on to say that during one traffic stop, the lieutenant recorded 7 instances where a driver did not move over or slow down when passing.
Dozens of officers have been killed in the line of duty. Since 2017, there have been 149 law enforcement officers killed in traffic-related incidents. Between 2006-2017, on average, one law enforcement officer was killed during a traffic-related incident each week.
The “Move Over” laws do not only apply to law enforcement, but also for other first responders, tow truck drivers, and any emergency vehicle drivers with flashing lights activated.
