Greencastle, Ind. (WTWO/WAWV) — The Indiana State Police announced Friday it will be teaming up this week with Kentucky, Michigan, Ohio, Pennsylvania and West Virginia state police agencies for the Six-State Trooper Project, a program designed to put a greater emphasis on “move over/slow down” highway laws.
Lasting from July 18 to 24, additional state troopers will be on Indiana highways conducting traffic stops. Drivers will be encouraged by officers to not drive distracted and to be increasingly aware of the need to move over or slow down while driving on highways as required by state law.
Indiana became the first of the 50 states to pass such a law in 1999, requiring drivers to move to an adjacent traffic lane or slow down by 10 MPH below the speed limit when driving by a stationary police, fire or EMS vehicle stopped along the side of the road. The idea of the law, and the new program spreading its awareness, is to give state troopers and emergency workers extra space to operate safely on roadways.
Over the years, this Indiana law has expanded to include stationary recovery, utility service, solid waste haulers, road and street highway maintenance vehicles as well as stationary survey or construction vehicles when displaying alternately flashing amber lights. This week, ISP officers will be attempting to spread awareness of this law and all the vehicles it includes.
“Our mission during this project is to provide traffic and officer safety through proactive and aggressive enforcement of the move over law,” Putnamville State Police Post Commander Lieutenant David Cox said.
Motorists that observe high-risk driving behavior, suspect impaired driving or suspect criminal activity on Indiana roadways are encouraged to call 911 or call directly to the Indiana State Police at (765) 653-4114.
