When their safety is in your hands: The Ted Foss Move Over law
Aug. 30, 2021
Let's say you're driving down the right-hand lane of a divided highway and you see that a car has been pulled over by law enforcement, or a tow truck is working on the side of the road. And even though all the vehicles are as far to the right as they can get without rolling into the ditch, they're still dangerously close to your lane. What do you do?
If you're like most drivers, you have the common sense and compassion to give them some room by moving into the next lane. But did you know it's also a Minnesota State law? It's called the Ted Foss Move Over law, and it was enacted in 2001 to protect those who protect us on Minnesota roads.
Simply put, the Ted Foss Move Over law requires that, on a road with two or more lanes going the same direction, drivers must move over one full lane from stopped emergency vehicles that have their flashing lights activated. And it's not just law enforcement – the law covers ambulance, fire, maintenance and construction vehicles, as well as tow trucks. In situations where it's not safe to move over (like heavy traffic), drivers should slow down.
Sure, it's a clear, common-sense law, but how did it get its name?
Ted Foss was a Minnesota State Patrol Trooper. On Aug. 31, 2000, Trooper Foss was on the shoulder of Interstate 90 conducting a routine traffic stop when he was hit and killed by a passing vehicle. And despite the law that bears his name, drivers continue to endanger the lives of Trooper Foss' colleagues by failing to obey the law. In fact, in the four years from 2017 through 2020, 89 State Patrol squad cars were struck while parked.
That's why every year around the anniversary of Trooper Foss' death at the hands of that careless driver, the State Patrol conducts extra patrols. But they're on the lookout all year long for drivers who don't move over for emergency vehicles. The fine can be over $100, and 318 Move Over citations have been issued so far this year.
Ultimately, every State Trooper's job is to make sure you get where you're going safely. And although their job carries a certain amount of risk, we can help return the favor – and honor Trooper Foss' memory – by obeying the law that bears his name.
