ST. PAUL — The Minnesota State Patrol’s message to motorists — pay attention. Troopers are underscoring the importance of their message after eight troopers have been hit on the road since Sunday, February 20. The latest crash happened Tuesday night (February 22, 2011) in which the squad car of a state trooper was struck while the trooper was arresting a drunk driver on 694 and Silver Lake Road in New Brighton. Trooper Tim Peterson sustained facial injuries.
“It doesn’t matter the road conditions; drivers need to pay attention,” says Lt. Eric Roeske of the Minnesota State Patrol.” A majority of troopers have been hit because people were not paying attention or driving too fast. Drivers need to be alert for flashing lights and move over to ensure we can do our jobs safely and the people we are helping are out of danger.”
During winter (Nov. 1, 2010–present), 31 troopers have been hit (compared to 13 at this time last winter).
This week marked the 33rd anniversary of the death of Trooper Roger Williams. He was struck and killed by an out of control vehicle while helping a motorist on I-94 near Alexandria.
Minnesota’s “Ted Foss Move Over” law is over 10 years old. Foss was killed by a passing vehicle as he was conducting a traffic stop on the shoulder of I-90 in Winona in 2000.
Minnesota’s “Move Over” law:
• When traveling on a road with two or more lanes, you must keep over one full lane away from stopped emergency vehicles with flashing lights activated, including ambulance, fire, law enforcement, maintenance and construction vehicles.
• Reduce speed if you are unable to safely move over a lane.
• Failing to take these actions endangers personnel who provide critical and life-saving services.
