State Patrol To Hold District-Wide Saturation

Troopers in the St. Cloud State Patrol District are holding a district-wide enforcement saturation on Thursday, April seventh. Captain Al Kutz said, “Every trooper, supervisor and investigator scheduled to work on April seventh will be on the road aggressively enforcing the Ted Foss Move-Over law.” Kutz added, “Too many troopers are getting hit on our highways because drivers are not slowing down or moving over. We will try to gain compliance of this important law through strict enforcement.”

The State Patrol wants to remind motorists what the law actually requires of them. In part, the law states, “When approaching and before passing an authorized emergency vehicle with its emergency lights activated that is parked or otherwise stopped on or next to a street or highway having two lanes in the same direction, the driver of a vehicle shall safely move the vehicle to the lane farthest away from the emergency vehicle, if it is possible to do so.” The law also states in part that, “When there are more than two lanes in the same direction, the driver of a vehicle shall safely move the vehicle so as to leave a full lane vacant between the driver and any lane in which the emergency vehicle is completely or partially parked or otherwise stopped, if it is possible to do so.” If a vehicle occupies that lane and moving over is not possible, motorists must slow down before passing the emergency vehicle.

Motorists are also reminded that the same law applies to highway service vehicles, road maintenance vehicles as well as tow trucks when any of these vehicles are parked on a roadway with their flashing lights on. Slowing down ahead of time is not only required by Minnesota law, but it is a great idea not to wait until the last minute to slow down or move over for any hazard. On two lane roads, motorists need to slow down, be prepared to stop, and then go around the scene when it is safe to do so. Citations for violation of this law are costing drivers around 137 dollars. It is also a moving violation that goes on the motorist’s driving record.