On Monday of this week, the Austin Police Department shared an image taken by an officer assisting a stranded motorist on 14th Street NW/US Highway 218 North. The description posted along with the photo described multiple vehicles passing by that were not slowing down or moving over into the opposin g lane. Quite simply, we as motorists, have to be more observant than that. It’s a state law that requires motorists to move over one full lane from stopped authorized vehicles, stalled vehicles or disabled vehicles with hazard lights activated. Those vehicles include ambulance, fire, law enforcement, road maintenance and construction vehicles. The law itself, the Ted Foss Move Over Law, was established after the Minnesota State Patrol’s Cpl. Ted Foss was struck and killed by a passing vehicle in August of 2000 on Interstate 90. The law also requires motorists who can’t move over to slow down, something many motorists on this day did not do. Pure and simple, this law that was established from an avoidable tragedy seeks to keep all parties safe during these circumstances. All it takes is a moment of distraction to alter a life’s course forever and often, as we’ve said, it is completely avoidable. Even if there are none of these authorized vehicles in the area, drivers should still practice caution for vehicles alongside the road. Even though it’s advised that people remain in their vehicles, those passing should still practice caution and move their vehicle over and slow down when appropriate. This is a law that could result in more than a $100 fine, but more importantly, not obeying it could result in changed lives forever. Move over, slow down and be observant. The post Our Opinion: Move over for emergency vehicles on the side of road appeared first on Austin Daily Herald. ...read more read less