It's the law

There are some basic traffic laws that everyone learns to obey when obtaining a driver's license: stopping at intersections with posted signs and yielding to oncoming traffic on the highway, for example.

And then there are some courtesies of the road that we pick up through experience behind the wheel: moving to the side of the road to let a funeral procession pass or into the passing lane to give a stalled or stopped vehicle on the shoulder plenty of space.

But it's likely that too many drivers were unaware of a common courtesy that became law nearly two years ago. The Missouri General Assembly passed legislation in 2002 that requires drivers, when possible, to move into the farthest lane whenever they see a law enforcement vehicle stopped on the side of a road or highway.

Before the law, most drivers were courteous enough to switch to the passing lane when they had the opportunity anyway. It was just a good idea for safety's sake.

An accident last week that injured Sgt. Brad Lively of the Missouri State Highway Patrol is a reminder for us all to slow down and drive carefully. Lively was injured along Interstate 55 north of Cape Girardeau while making a routine traffic stop. A passing car struck him as he was attempting to flag the driver down.

Law enforcement officers work to keep us safe both on and off the road. We should extend them the same courtesy. And it's the law.