Police seek drivers who don't stop for emergency vehicles
Drivers that fail to "move over or slow down" for emergency vehicles with their lights flashing may find themselves with a class A infraction, according to an announcement from Lieutenant George Schneider, commander of the Putnamville State Police Post.
State police are aggressively targeting violators this month using saturation patrols, in addtion to Wolf Pack Patrols (unmarked patrol vehicles that target traffic violators) and the use of Commercial Motor Vehicle Officers.
Indiana law states that a motorist approaching a vehicle on the side of the road with the emergency lights in operation is required to change lanes, or if that is not possible, slow down.
An emergency vehicle is a police or fire vehicle with flashing red and blue lights or a wrecker or highway maintenance vehicle with flashing amber lights.
If violation of this law results in property damage, injury or death, the court shall recommend a drivers license suspension from 90 days to two years.
"This law is intended to protect the officer making the traffic stop as well as the motorist," stated Sergeant Chip Sunier. "Motorists need to give officers and highway workers room to work safely."