Move Over law expands to MoDOT crew members - KAIT-Jonesboro, AR-News, weather, sports

Move Over law expands to MoDOT crew members

Posted: Updated:
Posted by Allison Munn, Video Journalist - email

  • Most Popular StoriesMost Popular Stories

  • Friday, May 24 2013 9:27 PM EDT2013-05-25 01:27:45 GMT
    MADISON, Wis. (AP) - A man who wears thong underwear and a cape while riding his scooter through Wisconsin's capital city may be a strange sight.
    A man who wears thong underwear and a cape while riding his scooter through Wisconsin's capital city may be a strange sight.

  • Dan Sligh and his wife were in their pickup truck on Interstate 5 heading to a camping trip when a bridge before them disappeared in a "big puff of dust."
    The trucker was hauling drilling equipment when his load bumped against the steel framework over an Interstate 5 bridge. He looked in his rearview mirror and watched in horror as the span collapsed into the water behind him....

  • Friday, May 24 2013 10:26 PM EDT2013-05-25 02:26:51 GMT
    WALDENBURG, AR (KAIT) - A small Poinsett County town is coming together to help a man who was injured at a local business. Wednesday, a tire ruptured in David Newsom's face while on the job. Now his coworkers,
    Wednesday, a tire ruptured in David Newsom's face while on the job. Now his coworkers, along with members of the community are coming together to help him out.
    •   

KENNETT, MO (KAIT) - "We've always had a move over law... it was just for the police and emergency services," Assistant District Engineer Matt Seiler said. However, that won't be the case much longer.

Monday, Missouri Governor Jay Nixon expanded the state's "Move Over" law, adding protection to MoDOT workers. It's something crew members have been wanting for awhile, added protection from distracted drivers going through their work zones.

"Texting, talking on the phone, drinking coffee...not even just paying attention, basically just going where they've gotta go," that's how MoDOT crew member Tracy Currey said motorists pass through his office.

"A few years ago I was cutting concrete and I had a semi truck get within about three inches of my head," Currey said. "If it would've been three inches closer, I wouldn't be here."

Currey told Region 8 News that he and other crew members experience close calls like that regardless of signs and flashing lights set up around their work zone.

But, with the recent extension of the "Move Over" law, signed by Governor Nixon on July 9, Assistant District Engineer with MoDOT, Matt Seiler said, he hopes drivers will pay more attention to crew members.

"Their office is basically on the highway," Seiler explained. "Someone's life is basically dependent on them to be attentive and careful as they pass and go through out work zone."

Seiler said for the most part drivers are courteous... but the added protection doesn't hurt. Seiler explained that violators will face a fine once the extension takes effect.

"We're relying on people to just obey the law. and if they don't...they're not only putting our employees at risk but they also put themselves at risk."

Currey said driving safely through work zones is all about perspective.

"How would you like it if we drove through your work at 90mph? We've all got families to go home to and we want to get home to our families just like they do.," Currey said.

The extension to the Move Over law will take effect on August 28.

Violators of the Move over law will face a one thousand dollar fine. Drivers who hit and kill an emergency worker face a 10-thousand dollar fine.

Copyright 2012 KAIT. All Rights Reserved.