DES MOINES, Iowa — The Governor’s Traffic Safety Bureau (GTSB) is partnering with the Central Iowa Traffic Safety Task Force (CITSTF) and local law enforcement agencies across Iowa June 17-19 in order to educate drivers about the importance of yielding to vehicles on the shoulder that display flashing lights.
Motorists should expect to see extra law enforcement on the road looking for those in violation of Iowa’s Move Over Law.
The Move-Over Law has been in effect since 2002 in Iowa. It requires motorists to change lanes — or to slow down if changing lanes is not possible — when approaching a vehicle on the shoulder displaying flashing lights. This includes emergency vehicles, tow trucks, commercial trucks and passenger vehicles with flashing lights or hazard lights illuminated.
There have been numerous cases in Iowa and nationwide that resulted in traffic fatalities due to a driver not moving over. One group at increased risk is the towing industry. Hanifen Towing, which has operated in the greater Des Moines area for more than 100 years, has been directly impacted by the consequences of a driver’s failure to move over. Two Hanifen’s employees lost their lives on the job in 2011.
“Hanifen Towing has unfortunately been affected by drivers not slowing down or moving over on the road,” said Matt Hurd from Hanifen Towing. “Our hearts are with the families and community who still mourn this unspeakable loss. We have helped pass stronger laws to protect our employees on the side of the road.”
About 50 tow truck operators lose their lives yearly in the U.S. while performing roadside assistance, Hurd said, and police officers and emergency personnel are also killed.
“I am happy to see that all 50 states have passed Move Over Laws,” Hurd said, “and I encourage them to continue educating drivers everywhere to look out for tow truck drivers, first responders and other people assisting on the road.”
Penalties for violating Iowa’s Move Over Law (Iowa Code 321.323A/Iowa Code 321.324) include a fine of $210.25 and can include suspension of driver’s license privileges ranging from 90 days to one year in cases of property damage, bodily injury or death.
“If you see flashing lights on the side of the road — blue, amber or red — then move over,
said GTSB Media and Communications Specialist Nicole Hassenstab. “By enforcing this law and bringing awareness to the alarming statistics of Move-Over related fatalities, CITSTF and GTSB hope to save lives and increase safety on Iowa roads.”
For more information, contact Nicole Hassenstab at hassenstab@dps.state.ia.us or 515-321-7267. The GTSB works with city, county, state and local organizations to develop and implement strategies to reduce death and injury on Iowa roads using federally funded grants.
