Keeping Safety Workers Safe

Through the end of this week, state officials are leading a campaign to keep emergency and highway workers safe from drivers after a series of deaths, including two in San Diego County.

California's "Move Over Law" requires drivers, in most cases, to keep a lane between themselves and emergency, tow and Caltrans vehicles to help protect workers. In May and June, three Caltrans employees were killed on the job, including Richard Gonzalez, 52, of San Ysidro and Stephen Palmer Sr., 64, of Jamul. All were struck by motorists.

Though the campaign is focused on highway workers, the Move Over Law also applies to police and firefighters' vehicles. In a , Rancho Bernardo firefighters described the struggles they face when they are on the side of freeways, and also when they are rushing through RB streets and drivers don't pull off to the right side. Check out the video to hear from the firefighters about how you can stay safe (and keep them safe, too).

The text of the Move Over Law, California Vehicle Code Section 21809:

21809. (a) A person driving a vehicle on a freeway approaching a stationary authorized emergency vehicle that is displaying emergency lights, a stationary tow truck that is displaying flashing amber warning lights, or a stationary marked Department of Transportation vehicle that is displaying flashing amber warning lights, shall approach with due caution and, before passing in a lane immediately adjacent to the authorized emergency vehicle, tow truck, or Department of Transportation vehicle, absent other direction by a peace officer, proceed to do one of the following:

(1) Make a lane change into an available lane not immediately adjacent to the authorized emergency vehicle, tow truck, or Department of Transportation vehicle, with due regard for safety and traffic conditions, if practicable and not prohibited by law.

(2) If the maneuver described in paragraph (1) would be unsafe or impracticable, slow to a reasonable and prudent speed that is safe for existing weather, road, and vehicular or pedestrian traffic conditions.

(b) A violation of subdivision (a) is an infraction, punishable by a fine of not more than fifty dollars ($50).

(c) The requirements of subdivision (a) do not apply if the stationary authorized emergency vehicle that is displaying emergency lights, the stationary tow truck that is displaying flashing amber warning lights, or the stationary marked Department of Transportation vehicle that is displaying flashing amber warning lights is not adjacent to the freeway or is separated from the freeway by a protective physical barrier.

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