DPS reminds motorists to ‘move over’

A campaign has been launched to remind drivers of Arizona’s little known “Move Over” law, which requires that vehicles merge into an adjacent lane when police or emergency vehicles are stopped near the road.

The law, passed in 2005, is suffering from a lack of publicity, say Arizona Department of Public Safety officials.

“We have lost far too many officers over the years that died after being struck by passing vehicles while they were assisting motorists by the side of the road,” said a spokesperson for ADPS, in a statement.

The Arizona Department of Transportation has posted 22 large signs along highways across the state, most of them in the Tucson and Phoenix areas, reminding motorists of the “Move Over” law.

If it is impossible to move over in time, or the roadway is only one lane, the law says you must reduce your speed and proceed with extreme caution, said department officials.

jrichardson@gvnews.com | 547-9726