‘We can hopefully save some people’s lives’: Nebraska enforcing new move over law
LINCOLN, Neb. (KLKN) — A Nebraska state trooper took a Channel 8 reporter on a ride-along Wednesday as the state’s expanded move over law went into effect.
The law now requires drivers to move over or slow down when passing any stopped vehicle, emergency responder, pedestrian or cyclist.
Trooper Mark White said the patrol is excited about this law because it forces drivers to be more aware.
“We’re hoping to see the fatality rate go down, that’s the biggest thing,” he said. “We’re hoping to see safety go up, and hopefully people will be a little more cognizant of the other people that they have to share the roadway with.”
The law also includes an increase in speeding fines and expands the definition of reckless driving to include drivers going twice the speed limit.
The Nebraska Department of Transportation will also be allowed to reduce speed limits during any emergency.
Plus, any crash that kills another person will now be a Class IV felony.
White said with the busy holiday season coming up, the new move over law is more important than ever.
“Some of my co-workers have been struck by vehicles while they were doing their jobs on the shoulder of the roadway,” he said.
White said over his 28-year career, he’s had three patrol vehicles hit.
“It’s something that if people can think a little bit, we can hopefully save some people’s lives, save some patrol cars or other vehicles from getting struck,” he said.
And if you can’t move over, White said it’s OK to just slow down.
“I have been personally on a bike on some of the roadways around here, and I’ve had vehicles fly by and drag me with them a little bit,” he said. “Slowing down a little bit is just being courteous.”
