Minnesota drivers may know that state law requires them to move one full lane away from stopped emergency vehicles with flashing lights activated when traveling on roads with two or more lanes going in the same direction.
In cases where that is not possible, drivers must slow down significantly when passing emergency vehicles such as police cars, ambulances, fire trucks and tow trucks. The law also applies to motorists who come upon maintenance and construction vehicles parked on the side of the road.
A change in state law approved during the last legislative session expanded the Ted Foss Move Over Law to include any vehicle — those with flat tires or otherwise disabled — that is stopped with hazard lights activated.
"While we recommend people experiencing car trouble stay in their vehicle with their seat belt on, the law also specifically calls on drivers to move over for people visibly present outside the vehicle," the Minnesota Department of Public Safety (DPS) said.
The Move Over Law was enacted in honor of state trooper Ted Foss, who was killed while conducting a traffic stop on the shoulder of Interstate 90 in Winona in 2000.
DPS data shows 550 vehicles responding to roadside incidents have been hit from 2018 through 2022. Though the law has been on the books for more than two decades, violations still are common. State troopers wrote more than 6,300 tickets for the offense from 2020 through 2022, according to DPS.
A ticket comes with a fine that can exceed $100.
Pedestrian bridge opens in Shakopee
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