Emergency Vehicle Editorial

To the Editor,

In many areas it is difficult to get through a day without hearing sirens or seeing emergency vehicles speeding down the roadway with lights flashing. Such occurrences have become commonplace as law enforcement, ambulance and fire personnel respond to a great variety of emergency calls. Yet, operation of an emergency vehicle can be a hazardous but necessary task. There is a risk to the driver and occupants of the emergency vehicle as well as other motorist and pedestrians. If we all work together and follow the laws related to emergency vehicles we can help minimize this risk.

Minnesota state law requires that drivers yield the right-of-way upon the approach of an authorized emergency vehicle operating with emergency lights or siren, and pull over to the right hand side of the road and stop. Drivers must remain stopped until after the emergency vehicle has passed. It is always a good idea to check closely for additional emergency vehicles that may be operating in the area as well before driving back into the driving lane.

Each year a number of officers, other emergency personnel, and citizens are injured when inattentive drivers crash into emergency vehicles parked of the side of the road. In an effort to reduce the number of these unfortunate incidents the Ted Foss, or Move Over law was enacted. This law requires any driver, when approaching an emergency vehicle, with lights flashing, parked, or otherwise stopped, on or next to the street or highway to move over. If the roadway is equipped with two lanes going in the same direction drivers shall safely move to the lane farthest away from the emergency vehicle if it is possible to do so. If the roadway is equipped with more than two lanes in the same direction drivers must move over as to leave at least one full lane between the drive and any lane in which an emergency vehicle is completely or partially parked, or otherwise stopped if possible to do so.

In short please move over when it is safe to do so in order to leave a safe distance between vehicle traffic and stopped emergency vehicles on or adjacent the roadway. If you are unable to move over reduce your speed and allow as much room as possible.


Lt. Bob Harri
Buffalo Police Department
Board Member Safe Communities of Wright County