Jul 21, 2015 2 min read

WAYNESBURG – Pennsylvania State Police worked Tuesday to remind motorists about the state’s “Steer Clear” Law, resulting in 11 citations and seven warnings during a crackdown along Interstate 79 in Greene County.

The “Steer Clear” Law went into effect in 2006 and requires motorists to move over or slow down when encountering an emergency scene, traffic stop or disabled vehicle. The law requires motorists to move their vehicle to a lane that is not adjacent to the scene of the emergency response, police stop or a tow truck picking up an abandoned vehicle.

State police Sgt. Steve Dowlin, the Waynesburg barracks’ recently appointed station commander, said they restored the initiative to help keep emergency responders safe.

“It is really important for all of our first responders to be safe,” Dowlin said. “We can’t help anybody else if we are unsafe and become a casualty.”

According to the National Law Enforcement Memorial, there were 32 law enforcement officer fatalities in the United States because of traffic-related incidents. That is a 23 percent increase from 26 fatalities in 2014.

Dowlin hopes re-enforcing this law will help lower this number and keep all responders safe while on duty.

Failure to move over or slow down can result in a summary offense that carries a fine up to $250.