TERRE HAUTE, Ind. (WTWO/WAWV) — As the summer traffic continues, Indiana State Police want to remind everyone of the state’s Move Over law.
Public Information Officer Sgt. Matt Ames said that a common misconception is that you only have to get over for emergency vehicles when you actually have to get over for all stationary vehicles.
He said that all motorists are required to change lanes, if you can safely, or slow down to 10mph below the posted speed limit. This makes it a safe environment for all types of situations in which someone could be on the side of the road.
For motorists stuck on the side of a roadway, Ames said that it is always important to have your blinkers on or have something reflective near your vehicle.
“When you are stranded, you need to activate your emergency lights immediately so that motorists will be able to see you from the front and the rear,” he said. “It also does not hurt to carry emergency triangles in the vehicles just like for all of our commercial motor vehicles that is required by law. If you have the opportunity, get some type of illumination or reflective material so you can be seen a lot better by approaching motorists.”
Ames said that this was put into place in 2023 after numerous accidents with vehicles on the side of the road and they hope this law will help these situations from occurring in the future.
