The Department of Safety and Tennessee Highway Patrol announced today that the Tennessee Trucking Association is joining the effort to educate motorists on Tennessee’s Move Over Law. The law, which went into effect in July 2004, requires motorists to move over or slow down for stopped emergency vehicles.

“The Move Over Law is an important resource in safeguarding the lives of the men and women who work along Tennessee’s busy highways and interstates,” said Gerald Nicely, Interim Safety Commissioner, who also serves as Commissioner of the Department of Transportation. “The truck drivers who travel our roads are highly visible. I am pleased to see the Tennessee Trucking Association joining the effort to protect our workers.”

Tennessee Trucking Association member Mid-South Logistics has placed decals advising motorists to move over for stopped emergency vehicles on the rear doors of 42 trailers. In addition, Wal-Mart has put posters with information on the Move Over Law in employee break rooms at all Wal-Mart and Sam’s Club stores in Tennessee. Company officials estimate some 520,000 people have viewed them.

“Truckers know the dangers of the roadways,” said Doug Cook, Vice-President of Safety with Covenant Transport, a member of the Tennessee Trucking Association. “They also know that people who work along the roads provide valuable services to motorists. That’s why we want to help keep those workers safe by joining the Move Over education effort.”

Tennessee’s Move Over Law took effect in July 2004. Motorists who are caught violating the law currently face a minimum $50 fine, but lawmakers are pushing to increase the penalties to a minimum of $100, with a maximum of $500. “When the Move Over Law went into effect in 2004, we cleared a major hurdle,” said Senator Doug Jackson, who sponsored the measure in the state Senate. “Now, it’s time to put more teeth in the law by increasing the fine.”

“I support efforts to create tougher penalties for violators of the Move Over Law,” said Representative Joe Fowlkes, the measure’s original sponsor in the state House. “Raising the fines would send a clear message that drivers in Tennessee are expected to obey this important law.”

As the head of two agencies directly impacted by the Move Over Law, Nicely said too many families have already been changed forever by violators of the law. “The deaths of Trooper Todd Larkins, TDOT maintenance worker Robert Fish and Metro Nashville Police Officer Christy Dedman were senseless and could have easily been prevented. I look forward to working with Senator Jackson and Representative Fowlkes on strengthening the existing law.”

“Being struck by a vehicle is the third leading cause of death for law enforcement officials,” stated Tennessee Highway Patrol Colonel Mike Walker. “Following this law is so simple. Just move over, or if that cannot be done safely, slow down when you see an emergency vehicle. And for people driving in adjacent lanes, be courteous and allow other drivers to move over. We all need to work together to help protect the men and women who work so hard to protect you.”

The Tennessee Department of Safety (www.tennessee.gov/safety) is responsible for ensuring the safety and general welfare of the traveling public. The department’s general areas of responsibility include law enforcement, safety education and motorist services including the issuance of driver licenses and title and registration activities. The department and its highly trained staff of Troopers are responsible for safety on more than 15,000 miles of state and federal highways.