On July 1st, Iowa Governor Terry Branstad signed a new law into effect. Under the new “Move Over” Law, motorists who are ticketed and convicted for not moving over for emergency vehicles will face increased penalties.
Kim Snook is with the Iowa Department of Transportation. She says the purpose of the law is to keep emergency vehicles and highway personnel safe while they do their work. Snook says there are two simple rules everyone should follow.
"Change lanes or slow down when you are approaching a stationary or emergency tow or maintenance vehicle that has its lights flashing. And yield the right of way to any emergency vehicle displaying flashing lights or giving an audible signal by moving over to the right, stopping and waiting before the vehicle has passed before proceeding. There have been a lot of close calls that happen out there where there have actually been fatal crashes that have happened because people haven’t followed the law.”
For more information on the Move Over Law, click here.