“Move Over” To Protect Workers

The new Move Over Law aims to keep anyone working on Wyoming’s highways more safe.
The Wyoming Highway Department is launching a social media campaign to make drivers aware of the changes that have been made to the law, which before this year only applied to emergency vehicles. As of 2018, new amendments to the statute now include authorized utility, maintenance, and construction workers.
Each year the Wyoming Highway Department and law enforcement agencies across the state report multiple incidents where emergency and WYDOT vehicles are being struck by passing motorists while in the performance of their duties. In a local incident in November of 2017, a passing motorist crashed into the door of a Cody Police Officer’s patrol vehicle while on a traffic stop. Fortunately, the officer was not injured in this incident.
The statute now states that when an emergency, construction, maintenance, or utility vehicle is stopped on a road with two or more lanes in the same direction, motorists must move to the farthest lane away from the stopped vehicle. On a two-lane road where speeds are 45 mph or greater, motorists must slow down to 20 mph below the posted speed limit. This also includes when those vehicles are working within three feet of the roadway.