THP: “Save lives and move over”
JACKSON, Tenn. — The Tennessee Highway Patrol asks drivers to take heed of others sharing the roads as traffic picks up for the 4th of July holiday. Sergeant Barry Whitten has patrolled Tennessee roads for nearly 2 decades. He says following one law in particular can save lives – the Move over law. “Whenever they encounter law enforcement officers that are out there, we ask that when they see them in an enforcement situation that they move over in the adjoining lane if they can,” Sgt. Whitten said. Troopers say it doesn’t matter which shoulder vehicles are on. Moving over gives a safety barrier to prevent any accident from happening. “The motoring public, law enforcement officers, some of our own THP fellow officers have been struck by the motoring public”, Sgt. Whitten said. With the THP’s ‘Drive to Zero Fatalities’ campaign, Whitten says the Move over law is paramount in preventing highway deaths. “The primary effort that we’re focusing on here within the state is drive to zero fatalities, and our move over enforcement is just one part of that,” Sgt. Whitten said. Officers say it’s also important to watch out for lane changes in construction areas. Construction workers won’t be on the job over the holiday weekend, but there will still be lane changes. Officers explain to drivers to take advantage of rest stops as you travel to prevent fatigued driving.
