HENRY COUNTY, VA – June is Move Over Awareness Month, a safety campaign that raises awareness of Virginia’s Move Over law to help reduce the risk of injury or death to emergency crews stopped on roadways.
The law requires drivers to move over or, if they are unable, to cautiously pass the emergency crews flashing red, blue, or amber lights. The law also applies to roadway maintenance vehicles and tow trucks.
“We just like to remind everybody slow down, move over, if possible,” said Travis Pruitt, Captain of the Ridgeway District Volunteer Rescue Squad. “We want everybody to be save. We want all of our providers to go home at the end of the day.”
While there have been no recent incidents in Henry County, an unoccupied patrol vehicle of the Martinsville Police Department was struck on April 27.
Violation of this law is a Class I misdemeanor, punishable by up to a year in jail or up to $2,500.