LEWISTON, ID – The Nez Perce County Sheriff’s Office requests the public’s help in making the roadway safer. Idaho State law requires all drivers to reduce speed and move over for stationary vehicles displaying flashing lights. This is for everyone’s safety, Sgt. Lucas Martin says in a press release.
“As a driver you may not know what the situation is. It may be someone changing a flat tire, having a medical issue, a crash, or maybe just a traffic stop. Regardless, it is the duty of EVERY driver to reduce their speed and move over, if possible. This also includes reducing your speed even when you move over,” Martin says, adding that recently, there has been an increase in close calls involving drivers failing to slow down and move over.
Idaho Transportation Department vehicles with lighted signs and arrows directing traffic into another lane were nearly struck by drivers.
“Deputies working crashes, or assisting motorists, have nearly been struck by drivers going too fast and not seeing lights, cones or signs. Below is the Idaho Code. Please slow down and move over, it may be one of your loved ones along side the road that you are putting in danger by not slowing down and moving over,” Martin says.
From NPCSO:
49-624. Driver duty upon approaching a stationary vehicle displaying flashing lights. The driver of a motor vehicle, upon approaching a stationary police vehicle displaying flashing lights, an authorized emergency vehicle displaying flashing lights, a stationary tow truck displaying flashing lights, or a stationary highway incident response vehicle displaying flashing lights, shall:
(1) If the driver is traveling on a highway with two (2) or more lanes carrying traffic in the same direction, immediately reduce the speed of his vehicle below the posted speed limit, proceed with due caution and, if traveling in a lane adjacent to a stationary police vehicle displaying flashing lights, an authorized emergency vehicle displaying flashing lights, a stationary tow truck displaying flashing lights, or a highway incident response vehicle displaying flashing lights, change lanes into a lane that is not adjacent to such vehicle as soon as it is possible to do so in a manner that is reasonable and prudent under the conditions then existing, with regard to actual and potential hazards.
(2) If the driver is traveling on a highway with one (1) lane for each direction of travel, immediately reduce the speed of his vehicle below the posted speed limit and maintain a safe speed for the road, weather, and traffic conditions until completely past the stationary police vehicle, authorized emergency vehicle, stationary tow truck, or highway incident response vehicle.
