OHP Says Not Enough Drivers Are Following Oklahoma’s Move Over Law

State regulation requires drivers to maneuver over in the event that they see flashing lights on the facet of the street, however Oklahoma Highway Patrol stated they nonetheless reply to accidents the place individuals have been hit and killed.

They stated if it is a first responder, tow truck driver, and even only a driver, you should transfer over.

“That means they have to give a lane; they have to move over,” Trooper Eric Foster stated.

Trooper Foster stated if drivers cannot transfer over, they have to decelerate.

He stated when OHP is responding to accidents, the largest factor they see is distracted drivers. It’s essential individuals take note of what’s taking place on the street.

“You’re not paying attention to the radio, you’re not paying attention to even other occupants in the car, you’re paying attention to what is going on directly in the roadway,” he stated.

The Oklahoma Department of Transportation stated between ODOT and the Oklahoma Turnpike Authority, 72 staff have been hit and killed on the facet of the street.

T.J. Gerlach with ODOT stated staff are on the market on daily basis risking their lives by mowing, fixing potholes, or choosing up trash.

“We’re out there every day and every day we see drivers maybe not paying all the attention to the roadway that they need to be doing, and we want to just make sure people are out there paying attention when we have those lights flashing,” he stated.

Both Gerlach and Foster stated crucial factor OHP and ODOT can do is educate individuals on the regulation, and ensure they know they may get a $249 ticket if they do not transfer over.

“I still today pull people over and they say, ‘well I didn’t know that was the law,’ and so education is really important because most of the time people don’t move over, not because they are trying to be a jerk, they aren’t moving over because they really don’t know that’s the law,” he stated.

Gerlach stated ODOT does associate with a number of faculties to show teenage drivers the significance of labor zone security and transferring over.