Minnesota State Patrol Lt. Chris Edstrom was struck while assisting a motorist on the shoulder of I-35W near Forest Lake on Jan. 17. Fortunately Edstrom suffered only minor injuries, but the photo of his vehicle is a chilling reminder for drivers to slow down and move over.
Minnesota State Patrol Troopers are underscoring the importance of the “Move Over” law following a Jan. 17 crash in which the squad of a state trooper was struck while the trooper was assisting a motorist on the shoulder of I-35W near Forest Lake. Lt. Chris Edstrom suffered minor injuries. “Winter road conditions can lead to an increased number of vehicles going off the road, and as a result, more emergency responders are called on to assist on the shoulder of the road,” says Lt. Eric Roeske. “Motorists need to be alert for flashing lights and move over to ensure we can do our jobs safely and the people we are helping are out of danger.”
Roeske says motorists should drive at safe speeds for road conditions and motorists who are waiting for assistance off the road should remain in their vehicles with their seat belts fastened.
This winter (Nov. 1, 2010–present), 22 trooper vehicles have been hit (compared to 10 during this same period last winter) and five troopers were injured (compared to four injured last winter). During the last five years, at least 100 trooper vehicles were hit and 31 troopers were injured. The State Patrol cited 9,173 motorists for Move Over violations during this fiveyear period.
Minnesota’s “Ted Foss Move Over” law is over 10 years old. Foss was killed by a passing vehicle as he was conducting a traffic stop on the shoulder of I-90 in Winona in 2000.
Minnesota’s “Move Over” law
. When traveling on a road with two or more lanes, you must keep over one full lane away from stopped emergency vehicles with flashing lights activated, including ambulance, fire, law enforcement, maintenance and construction vehicles.
. Reduce speed if you are unable to safely move over a lane.
. Failing to take these actions endangers personnel who provide critical and life-saving services.
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