Many drivers ignoring the “move over” law

Many drivers ignoring state’s “move over” law

Whether an emergency vehicle is parked on the inside of the interstate or on the outside of the interstate, motorists must slow down or move over. It’s the law.

INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) – Seven Indiana State Troopers have died while making routine traffic stops along Indiana roads.

24-Hour News 8 rode along with Indiana State Trooper Shane Cunningham and learned how a routine traffic stop can turn tragic when motorists don’t obey the “move over” law.

Trooper Cunningham responded to a crash scene on the west side along I-465 in a 45 mile per hour construction zone. It’s where, over the weekend, trooper Jeff Woodward was struck while helping a disabled motorist.  Investigators said 19-year-old Amber Harper crashed into Woodward’s car, sending it into the disabled car that struck Woodward.

Last July, a similar accident hospitalized trooper Hank Kalina.

“Guaranteed that someone, when you are on the side of the road, will not yield and not get over,” said trooper Cunningham.

Whether an emergency vehicle is parked on the inside of the interstate or on the outside of the interstate, motorists must slow down or move over. It’s the law.

24-Hour News 8 witnessed car after car pass without changing lanes even though they had opportunity.

“At this point, you are on the side of the road…kind of a blind turn so they can’t…see what’s around the corner. And here they come at speeds of who knows what,” described trooper Cunningham.

The speed limit on one stretch of I-70 is 55 but some clocked in the mid 60s.

“You can just feel someone and the car just shakes. That’s how close they are,” said Cunningham.

Amber Harper, the driver who investigators said struck Woodward’s patrol car, was cited for reckless driving, failure to yield, speeding, unsafe lane movement, having an expired registration plate, and not having her drivers license.

Trooper Woodward is going to be okay. Trooper Kalina also survived his crash.