Six-State Trooper Project Targets Move Over/Slow Down Law

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Six-State Trooper Project Targets Move Over/Slow Down Law

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Indiana State Police sent this bulletin at 07/16/2021 07:41 AM EDT

Having trouble viewing this email? View it as a Web page.​ INDIANA STATE POLICE PUTNAMVILLE DISTRICT 1927 US 40 West Greencastle, IN 46135 www.in.gov/isp FOR RELEASE: Upon Receipt​ CONTACT: Sgt. Matt Ames Public Information Officer 812-240-0030 DATE: 7-16-21 Six-State Trooper Project Targets Move Over/Slow Down Law​ Greencastle, IN – The Indiana State Police will be joining forces this week with Kentucky, Michigan, Ohio, Pennsylvania, and West Virginia State Police agencies, for what is known as the Six-State Trooper Project. During this collective effort, troopers across Indiana will be taking to the highways July 18th-24th with a primary focus on move over/slow down enforcement. During this period, motorists can expect to see an increased presence of our troopers on the roadsides conducting traffic stops. Drivers are encouraged to not drive distracted, to be increasingly aware of the need to move over or slow down as required by state law, and to give troopers the room to work safely. In 1999 Indiana was the first state in the nation to pass such a law requiring motorists to move to an adjacent traffic lane or reduce speed by 10 mph below the posted speed limit, if unable to change lanes safely when driving by a stationary police, fire or ambulance emergency vehicle stopped along the side of the road. Over the years, Indiana's law has expanded to include stationary recovery, utility service, solid waste haulers, road and street highway maintenance vehicles, as well as stationary survey or construction vehicles when displaying alternately flashing amber lights. Putnamville State Police Post Commander Lieutenant David Cox stated, “Our mission during this project is to provide traffic and officer safety through proactive and aggressive enforcement of the move over law.” It is the goal of the Indiana State Police to provide safe roadways for everyone to travel. Indiana State Police Putnamville Post encourages and hopes for voluntary compliance with traffic laws to ensure the safety of both the traveling motorist and safety professionals. Help the Indiana State Police Putnamville Post make a difference on our roadways! Motorists that observe high-risk driving behavior, suspect impaired driving, or suspect criminal activity on our roadways are always encouraged to call 911 or call directly to the Indiana State Police at (765) 653-4114. -30-​ AMES

 

[jkaetz]

Someone should educate drivers that it is "move over or slow down" not "move over and slow down". Interesting that slow down is only 10 under, haven't seen that before.

Coincidentally, or perhaps not, they will have to stop more people for another reason to enforce this too.

 

[foszoe]

How about getting people out of the left lane also?

 

[OurDee]

I drove a rollback for 6 months. This law really needs to be hammered. I put out flares sometimes and had semis run over them when they were on my side of the line. I had to jump up on the deck to keep from getting ran over. Even had a clown screach to a halt with their car under my deck. State troopers risk their life every time they make a stop.

 

[OurDee]

How about getting people out of the left lane also?

I propose that when there are three lanes travelling in the same direction that it be the law that you must travel at a minimum of 10 mph over the posted speed limit while in the far left lane.

 

[jamil]

I thought the law was a pretty good idea back when it was first added. But having seen it cause some pretty unsafe behavior I think it could use some tweaking. As mentioned I’ve had several close calls where people cut in front of me while slamming on their breaks. I’ve seen people in the right lane just slam on their breaks as soon as they see a cop on the side of the road. That’s not making it safer overall. I wish just having a law, don’t be stupid, could work.

 

[jamil]

I propose that when there are three lanes travelling in the same direction that it be the law that you must travel at a minimum of 10 mph over the posted speed limit while in the far left lane.

It doesn’t even need to be in reference to the speed limit. If you’re in the left lane and you’re going the same speed as the cars in the lane to the right, you’re gonna cause a traffic problem. The left lane should be a passing lane.

 

[OurDee]

It doesn’t even need to be in reference to the speed limit. If you’re in the left lane and you’re going the same speed as the cars in the lane to the right, you’re gonna cause a traffic problem. The left lane should be a passing lane.

I agree with the passing lane part, but still want the 10+ rule applied. Ever been stuck behind the driver that takes 2 miles to make their pass?

 

[Bigtanker]

Someone should educate drivers that it is "move over or slow down" not "move over and slow down". Interesting that slow down is only 10 under, haven't seen that before.

Coincidentally, or perhaps not, they will have to stop more people for another reason to enforce this too.

Michigan law was changed in 2019. It is move over AND slow down.

 

[bwframe]

Maybe just me, but I have run onto a rash of 5-10 under the limit drivers lately.

This us a special PIA for me in that I live 10+ miles away from any four lane road. Hilly curvy two lane roads that are 90% double yellow lined.

 

[jamil]

I agree with the passing lane part, but still want the 10+ rule applied. Ever been stuck behind the driver that takes 2 miles to make their pass?

Yes! I have! It's very frustrating. The worst was the Semi that apparently has a governor that is maybe 1mph above the Truck he's passing. It wasn't just two miles. It was many. Traffic stack up behind them. People getting angry.

If it takes two miles to pass, for all practical purposes yer going the same speed. If speed has to be part of that law, maybe just make it relative to the speed of the cars you're passing. So maybe not specify a traveling speed. Just some limit on how long it takes to pass. If you can't get it done in a half mile, get back to the other lane.

Of course, then there are the people that when you pass, they speed up to match your speed. So then when you think, alright, I can just pull behind them now, they slow back down.

 

[femurphy77]

Someone should educate drivers that it is "move over or slow down" not "move over and slow down". Interesting that slow down is only 10 under, haven't seen that before.

Coincidentally, or perhaps not, they will have to stop more people for another reason to enforce this too.

Nah, they just have to be stopped with their ambers on, seems more like revenue generation.

 

[femurphy77]

Y

Maybe just me, but I have run onto a rash of 5-10 under the limit drivers lately.

This us a special PIA for me in that I live 10+ miles away from any four lane road. Hilly curvy two lane roads that are 90% double yellow lined.

You DO know that the posted speed is a max limit right? Yeah it sucks but. . . .

 

[Frank_N_Stein]

Nah, they just have to be stopped with their ambers on, seems more like revenue generation.

It isn't revenue generation. If you have never been sitting on the side of the highway and had a vehicle rock your car with turbulence because they were hauling ass and trying to get as close as possible, you have no idea. And it isn't just cops that it is done to, DOT workers and tow truck drivers get it too.

 

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​ 'Six State Trooper' Project will Target Slow Down and Move Over Violations content.govdelivery.com

​ ​ INDIANA STATE POLICE INDIANAPOLIS DISTRICT 8620 E. 21st Street Indianapolis, IN 46219 www.in.gov/isp FOR RELEASE: Upon Receipt​ ​ CONTACT: Sgt. John Perrine Public Information Officer 317-899-8287 DATE: July 16, 2021​

​ Six-State Trooper Project Targets Move Over/Slow Down Law Violations​ Indianapolis, IN – The Indiana State Police will be joining forces this week with Kentucky, Michigan, Ohio, Pennsylvania, and West Virginia State Police agencies, for what is known as the Six-State Trooper Project. During this collective effort, troopers across Indiana will be taking to the highways July 18th-24th with a primary focus on targeting drivers violating Indiana's Move Over / Slow Down law. During this period, motorists can expect to see an increased presence of our troopers on the roadsides conducting traffic stops. Drivers are encouraged to not drive distracted, to be increasingly aware of the need to move over or slow down as required by state law, and to give your troopers room to work safely. In 1999, Indiana was the first state in the nation to pass such a law requiring motorists to move to an adjacent traffic lane or reduce speed by 10 mph below the posted speed limit if unable to change lanes safely, when driving by a stationary police, fire or ambulance emergency vehicle stopped along the side of the road. Over the years since, Indiana's law has expanded to include stationary recovery, utility service, solid waste haulers, road and street highway maintenance vehicles, as well as stationary survey or construction vehicles when displaying alternately flashing amber lights. Lieutenant Josh Watson, State Police Indianapolis District Commander, along with district supervisors will lead several special patrols in the Indianapolis area over the next week. These patrols will target aggressive and reckless drivers as well as drivers who fail to slow down or move over for stationary emergency vehicles. "Part of our mission as Indiana State Troopers is to ensure public safety on all Indiana roadways, the goal of these patrols is to educate motorists, generate voluntary compliance of Indiana traffic laws and protect our fellow emergency responders who work alongside Indiana roadways." said Lt. Watson. Motorists that observe reckless driving behavior, suspected impaired driving, or suspected criminal activity are always encouraged to call 911 to report such activity, or call directly to the Indiana State Police Indianapolis Post at 317-899-8577, when safe to do so.

 

[bwframe]

...You DO know that the posted speed is a max limit right? Yeah it sucks but. . . .

Indiana Code Title 9. Motor Vehicles § 9-21-5-7 | FindLaw

Indiana Title 9. Motor Vehicles Section 9-21-5-7. Read the code on FindLaw

codes.findlaw.com

Sec. 7 . (a) A person may not drive a motor vehicle at a slow speed that impedes or blocks the normal and reasonable movement of traffic, except when reduced speed is necessary for safe operation or in compliance with the law.  A person who is driving:

(1) on a roadway that has not more than one (1) lane of traffic in each direction;  and

(2) at a slow speed so that three (3) or more other vehicles are blocked and cannot pass on the left around the vehicle;

**** shall give right-of-way to the other vehicles by pulling off to the right of the right lane at the earliest reasonable opportunity and allowing the blocked vehicles to pass. ****

(b) A person who fails to give right-of-way as required by subsection (a) commits a Class C infraction.

 

[femurphy77]

Indiana Code Title 9. Motor Vehicles § 9-21-5-7 | FindLaw

Indiana Title 9. Motor Vehicles Section 9-21-5-7. Read the code on FindLaw

codes.findlaw.com

Sec. 7 . (a) A person may not drive a motor vehicle at a slow speed that impedes or blocks the normal and reasonable movement of traffic, except when reduced speed is necessary for safe operation or in compliance with the law.  A person who is driving:

(1) on a roadway that has not more than one (1) lane of traffic in each direction;  and

(2) at a slow speed so that three (3) or more other vehicles are blocked and cannot pass on the left around the vehicle;

**** shall give right-of-way to the other vehicles by pulling off to the right of the right lane at the earliest reasonable opportunity and allowing the blocked vehicles to pass. ****

(b) A person who fails to give right-of-way as required by subsection (a) commits a Class C infraction.

Way too open; define normal and reasonable on a twisty turny two lane road. One drivers earliest reasonable opportunity isn't necessarily the same as another's. Plenty of twisty turny's down around Bloomington where there's hillside on one side of the road and barrier or steep decline on the other side that go on for miles.

Not that simple.

I live a couple of miles down a twisty turny to the nearest state highway and deal with it every day. Knew I would when I bought out here but it sure is worth it. Besides the cops don't have time to go after the really dangerous drivers so I don't see them pulling someone over because it's inconveniencing some people. Not on the aforementioned twisty turny's.

 

[femurphy77]

It isn't revenue generation. If you have never been sitting on the side of the highway and had a vehicle rock your car with turbulence because they were hauling ass and trying to get as close as possible, you have no idea. And it isn't just cops that it is done to, DOT workers and tow truck drivers get it too.

It may be up thread but I didn't see it; the law is slow down or pull over for stopped emergency vehicles is that correct? Can't remember as I never really gave it much thought as I've always moved to the left lane for any vehicle on the shoulder if safe or at least hug the centerline when unable to move fully over even before it was required.

If it's for stopped emergency vehicles do they have to have the lights on? Not trying to stir up any **** just looking for straight answers of what's "required".

 

[foszoe]

Yes! I have! It's very frustrating. The worst was the Semi that apparently has a governor that is maybe 1mph above the Truck he's passing. It wasn't just two miles. It was many. Traffic stack up behind them. People getting angry.

If it takes two miles to pass, for all practical purposes yer going the same speed. If speed has to be part of that law, maybe just make it relative to the speed of the cars you're passing. So maybe not specify a traveling speed. Just some limit on how long it takes to pass. If you can't get it done in a half mile, get back to the other lane.

Of course, then there are the people that when you pass, they speed up to match your speed. So then when you think, alright, I can just pull behind them now, they slow back down.

I tell my wife it's just semis playing NASCAR

 

[jamil]

I tell my wife it's just semis playing NASCAR

Well it's ****ing annoying. I know that on a cross the USA trip that one mile an hour means a lot to them. But the time I have to wait for them to pass means a lot to me.