Tennessee Highway Patrol and Department of Transportation Partner on Ramped-Up Enforcement After 33 State HELP Trucks Hit This Year
By Editor Josh Mitchell
River Mississippi News
CHATTANOOGA– Tennessee authorities are heightening enforcement of a nearly 20-year-old state law requiring them to move over or slow down when approaching emergency vehicles on highway shoulders.
Thirty-three state HELP trucks, which help distressed motorists, have been hit this year, according to the Tennessee Department of Transportation.
In just one day last month, Tennessee law enforcement officials in Chattanooga pulled over 77 vehicles for violations of the state’s Move Over Law, officials reported.
“State law requires drivers to move over and slow down for emergency vehicles,” said Deputy Governor and TDOT Commissioner Butch Eley. “Working together with our extraordinary law enforcement partners, we can help change driver behavior and make it safer for everyone on the road. Crash responders can’t do their jobs if their lives are being put at risk.”
Violators of Tennessee’s Move Over Law face up to a $500 fine and 30 days in jail.
