Highway signs reminding drivers when they must shift to left lane

New signs have gone up along roadways across the state in an effort to make the roads safer for police and other emergency workers.

The signs remind motorists of a statute requiring them to pull into the left lane or slow down when emergency vehicles are pulled over on the side of the road. They have been placed there at the behest of the Missouri State Highway Patrol.

Even though the law is 3 years old, the patrol hopes to increase public awareness to prevent the kinds of accidents that have recently plagued the organization.

Since 2002, four troopers have died after being hit by a car on the job, each one in circumstances that could have been avoided.

"There are more people on the roads and they're more congested than ever," said patrol Sgt. Larry Plunkett, public information officer with Troop E. "We want everyone to take it seriously."

Seven signs have been put up in Southeast Missouri, most of them along interstates. The most recent sign was posted on Highway 74, just west of the Bill Emerson Memorial Bridge.

'Make sure the officer is happy'

The law requires drivers to move, if possible, into the left lane when approaching an emergency vehicle. Where that isn't possible, such as on two-lane roads, drivers are required to slow to a safe speed.

"A safe speed is under the discretion of the officer, so you need to make sure to make the officer happy," Plunkett said. Those in violation of the law can be charged with a class B misdemeanor, but those penalties may increase, he said.

And a driver found to be reckless in hitting an officer can be charged with more, such as manslaughter if a death occurs.

The signs are a welcome sight for patrol Sgt. Brad Lively, who was struck by a car on June 14 last year while pulling over two motorists on Interstate 55. The accident crushed his legs, collapsed a lung and nearly cost him his life.

Lively was in the middle of the road when he was struck by a motorist going 34 miles per hour, who just a few seconds before had been traveling near the speed limit of 70. Even at that speed the damage was devastating.

"It's an excellent thing that they are going up," Lively said of the signs.

Lively is since back on the job, but much more cautious when making traffic stops. However, the signs do give him some peace of mind.

Sgt. Barry Hovis with the Cape Girardeau Police Department said the law isn't only a concern on the interstate. City police also have to deal with passing motorists during traffic stops, but usually at much slower speeds. However, city police can and will enforce the law within city limits, he said.

About a month ago a city police officer had his watch taken off by a passing vehicle, said Hovis.

Increasing awareness of the law is also an important priority for MoDOT, the agency in charge of placing the signs on the roadside. Like the police, MoDOT often has workers along the roadside, so the agency understands the concerns of the highway patrol, said engineer Steve Hoernig.

Whether motorists will pay attention to the law remains to be seen. For Dennis Collins, who works in Cape Girardeau, slowing down or pulling into the left lane is a natural reaction.

Collins drives the interstate a lot in his work. He's aware of the law, but said many motorists ignore emergency vehicles.

Those motorists may have a more watchful eye on them now. Plunkett said the signs aren't the only part of the patrol's campaign -- enforcement will be stepped up, as well.

"This isn't just for police," Plunkett said. "This applies to ambulance drivers, firemen, highway workers and even motorists pulled over on the roadside. We just want everyone to be cautious."

msanders@semissourian.com

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