WEEK: It’s National Work Zone Awareness Week, and what better way to honor the occasion than for a revamped Move Over Law taking effect today?
The week, designated to highlight the critical importance of safe driving through work zones, runs through April 30. The theme of this year’s work-zone safety campaign is “Drive safe. Work safe. Save lives.”
Lieutenant Colonel Scott Price, deputy commissioner of operations for the Pennsylvania State Police, acknowledged the dangers faced by first responders while providing roadside assistance.
“Last year, 55 state police vehicles were struck while troopers were responding to traffic stops, disabled motorists, or crash scenes. The goal of the Move Over Law is to prevent these dangerous situations.”
Pennsylvania’s Move Over Law requires drivers to change lanes when approaching an emergency response area. Updates to the law, which include a new point system for violators and sets a fine of $500 for first-time offenders, $1,000 for a second offense, and $2,000 plus 90-day license suspension for a third or subsequent offense, take effect on April 27. The revamped Move Over Law also mandates drivers change lanes or slow down when approaching disabled vehicles when at least two emergency displays, such as vehicle hazard lamps, road flares, and/or cones or caution signs are present.
According to PennDOT data, in 2020 there were 1,412 work zone crashes, resulting in 15 fatalities. Additionally, since 1970, PennDOT has lost 89 workers in the line of duty. The PA Turnpike has lost 45 workers since 1940.
