June is National Lane Courtesy Month, and a public safety post urged drivers to obey state Move Over laws that require moving over and slowing for emergency vehicles, the post said.
The post said all 50 states and Washington, D.C., have laws requiring drivers to move over and slow down for emergency vehicles with flashing lights. It said the laws are intended to protect lives.
The post cited 2023 data showing about 28,000 traffic-related crashes along the shoulder and 585 deaths in those crashes.
To prevent such incidents, the post recommended drivers keep their eyes on the road, move into an available lane not immediately adjacent to stopped emergency vehicles when it is safe to do so, and slow down if they cannot safely change lanes.
The post concluded with a reminder that Move Over is the law and urged motorists to share the road and practice lane courtesy.
Jon Ross Myers is the executive editor and publisher of the Mississippi News Network, Mississippi's largest digital only media company. He can be reached at editor@tippahnews.com
