Drivers in Wyoming now must give emergency vehicles a wide berth when passing.
A new law, which went into effect July 8, requires motorists on interstates to move to the lane farthest away from stopped emergency vehicles with their flashing lights on. On two-lane roads, motorists must slow down to 20 mph before passing a stopped emergency vehicle.
Violators face fines of up to $200 and 20 days in jail.
Separate crashes involving Highway Patrol Troopers John O'Connor and Jim Geeting prompted the law. Both men were injured by 18-wheelers that struck their cars during traffic stops.
In the last five years, 14 Wyoming Highway Patrol vehicles have been wrecked while troopers were handling traffic violations. In 1981, a trooper died when his patrol car was hit from behind.
A new law, which went into effect July 8, requires motorists on interstates to move to the lane farthest away from stopped emergency vehicles with their flashing lights on. On two-lane roads, motorists must slow down to 20 mph before passing a stopped emergency vehicle.
Violators face fines of up to $200 and 20 days in jail.
Separate crashes involving Highway Patrol Troopers John O'Connor and Jim Geeting prompted the law. Both men were injured by 18-wheelers that struck their cars during traffic stops.
In the last five years, 14 Wyoming Highway Patrol vehicles have been wrecked while troopers were handling traffic violations. In 1981, a trooper died when his patrol car was hit from behind.
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