In Montana, road safety is a priority. This is particularly true for law enforcement, emergency services, and roadside workers doing their jobs. Part of that is the “move-over” law. Under this law, drivers are required to switch lanes or reduce their speed when they are passing an emergency vehicle or a work vehicle that has its lights flashing.
The goal is to prevent accidents, injuries, and fatalities for the personnel and others on the road. Failure to do so could result in various penalties including fines. While this law has been in effect in one form or another for 25 years, many drivers are either unaware of it or outright ignore it. A recent incident brought renewed focus on it. Still, even with greater attention paid to it, the dangers are likely to continue.
Fire truck crash highlights dangers when ignoring the move-over law
Emergency vehicles were responding to an accident on I-90 when a vehicle did not adhere to the move-over laws and crashed into a fire truck. One firefighter EMT said he saw the vehicle coming and realized quickly that it was not going to stop, nor would it have time to swerve and avoid a collision.
The lane had been shut down as emergency services were working on an accident on the median. Firefighters needed to scramble to avoid getting hit. None were injured, but the driver suffered minor injuries. This was close to the same location where a tragic crash happened in 2020 as two tow truck drivers lost their lives in a similar accident.
This is a continuing trend in Montana. Last year, there were 99 citations for drivers behaving recklessly with road workers and emergency services. Fortunately, there were no serious injuries in this accident. But there easily could have been. First responders are there to help people and the move-over law is in place to protect them and others on the road. When drivers ignore it, it places everyone in jeopardy.
Failing to follow the move-over law can cause a crash
When there is an accident on the interstate and it is because a driver did not follow the move-over laws, it is imperative for those who were hurt to understand their options. Because these kinds of crashes are essentially a fast-moving vehicle colliding with a stationary target, the consequences can be severe.
To help cover medical costs, lost time at work, long-term expenses, and the inevitable challenges that accompany any kind of auto accident, it is imperative to have professional guidance to know how to proceed.
